Princess Diana’s fashion legacy made headlines once again as her iconic “black sheep” sweater set a new record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a garment worn by the beloved royal.
Throughout her life, Princess Diana made a significant impact on fashion, showcasing her bold and daring sense of style that transcended royal dress codes. From her iconic wedding dress to the famous “revenge dress” she wore in 1994, Princess Diana’s fashion choices left an indelible mark on history.
However, the record-breaking moment at Sotheby’s latest Fashion Icons auction in New York wasn’t marked by an elegant evening gown or a rare designer accessory but rather by a piece of country casual knitwear.
The star of the auction was a “black sheep” sweater that Princess Diana first wore in 1981 while attending a polo match when she was engaged to the future King Charles III. The sweater, featuring a pattern of white sheep with one black sheep standing out, captured the imagination of collectors and fashion enthusiasts alike.
During the auction, the sweater’s price surged from $190,000 to a staggering final price of $1,143,000 in the last 15 minutes of bidding. This marked a historic moment as it became the most valuable sweater ever sold at auction, surpassing the previous record held by a cardigan worn by Kurt Cobain during a Nirvana performance on MTV Unplugged.
The “black sheep” sweater was originally created in 1979 by knitwear designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne under their label Warm & Wonderful. It featured the unique pattern of sheep and was initially estimated to reach a price range of $50,000 to $80,000. However, the sweater’s charm and connection to Princess Diana prompted a flurry of bidding, ultimately reaching a price 14 times higher than the initial estimate.
The sweater had an interesting history as well. Shortly after Diana wore it, she reported a minor snag in one of the cuffs, leading to its return to the label by Buckingham Palace. Without hesitation, Muir and Osborne knitted a brand new sweater for Diana, an act for which they received a letter of gratitude from the palace. Diana later “re-wore” this replacement piece at a 1983 polo match, a moment captured in photos.
Upon the sweater’s record-breaking sale, Muir and Osborne expressed their delight, stating, “We are thrilled that this cherished sweater has now found a new home, carrying with it the enduring legacy of Princess Diana.” The sweater’s incredible value and historical significance solidify Princess Diana’s ongoing influence in the world of fashion and her lasting impact on style.