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A collection of Prince Diana’s gowns and letters that she wrote before her death are to be sold at the largest auction of her belongings in 27 years. Julien’s Auctions, the same auctioneer that sold memorabilia from Hugh Hefner and Marilyn Monroe will sell Prince Diana’s collection of couture dresses, shoes, clutches, and hand-written letters at a live auction.
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The highly-anticipated event, titled ‘ Princess Diana ‘s Elegance & A Royal Collection,’ will be held on June 27. ‘Princess Diana’s sartorial choices transcended mere fashion statements ; they were deliberate expressions of her identity, each ensemble meticulously curated to evoke a response, to provoke thought…fully aware of the power her style wielded,’ the description of the auction from Julien’s website read.
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‘What she might not have foreseen, however, is the enduring legacy her dignified glamour would leave, resonating ever stronger across the decades since her untimely passing. From the enchanting wedding gown that stole the world’s heart in 1981, to the sharp, tailored suits that defined her later years, the Princess of Wales ‘s wardrobe chronicled her growth as a woman and a global icon.
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Among the most treasured of Diana’s timeless pieces for sale that is her midnight blue tulle gown by Murray Arbeid, adorned with twinkling diamanté stars. The gown is estimated to sell for between $200,000 and $400,000. She wore the piece three times between 1986 and 1987 and it served as a catalyst for the ‘Di-mania’ that swept the country.
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Dubbed the ‘People’s Princess,’ she wore her gowns on multiple occasions – a taboo in celebrity culture. The move was intended to compensate for the time spent making the dress and help the designer gain more press and clientele. Another one of her fairy tale ballgowns, a Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace evening dress is also expected to sell for between $200,000 and $400,000.
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Diana first met Edelstein when she was pregnant with William, and the pair worked together closely as she was often present to help customize the designs to her taste. Edelstein went on to produce the Princess’s iconic ink-blue velvet gown with a mermaid tail skirt that she wore when she danced with John Travolta at The White House.
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One of the Princess’s favorite designers, Catherine Walker, created her yellow and navy two-piece skirt suit that she wore several times during a 1989 visit to Hong Kong for the opening of the Red Cross and in 1991 at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color Celebrations. The set is estimated to sell at $10,000. The Princess made history when she was photographed wearing a 1988 Catherine Walker pink floral dress during Prince William’s school’s sports day.
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Against the crown’s wishes, Diana competed in the barefoot race with other mothers, ultimately coming in first place, on June 21 of that year. She was also photographed wearing the pink floral dress on August 22, 1991 while leaving St. Mary’s Hospital in London after sitting with AIDS patients, and in 1992 leaving Prince Harry’s school in Notting Hill. In addition to dresses and suits, the auction will also feature many of Diana’s beloved accessories like shoes, handbags, and hats.
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A few eye-catching pieces include a pair of emerald-green satin evening shoes by Kurt Geiger with jeweled vamps, which is estimated to sell between $2,000 and $4,000, and a yellow and black felted wool turban designed by the royal milliner Philip Somerville, which is projected to sell at $5,000. And the auction is not limited to Diana’s couture pieces; her hand- written letters are also being sold. All of her letters are addressed wither Mrs. Pendrey, a former housekeeper of the Spencer family exclusively or her and her husband.
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Whether the princess was checking in on the Pendreys, detailing her honeymoon with Prince Charles, or announcing the birth of Prince William, she made sure to keep in touch with those she held dear. The letters, depending on length, range in price from $1,000 to $3,000. Bidding opens at 10:00 am on the Julien’s Auctions website. A portion of the proceeds will benefit charities fighting muscular dystrophy in the United Kingdom.
