Several pieces that once hung in Princess Diana's closet have been auctioned off over the years, but the one that's up for grabs later this month is a pretty iconic one. The purple gown that Diana wore for royal portraits (along with a Vanity Fair shoot) is going up for auction on January 27, and it's predicted to go for six figures. Whoa.
The aubergine velvet gown will be up for auction on January 27.
As Page Six reported, Sotheby's will be auctioning off the garment, which was a part of designer Victor Edelstein's fall 1989 collection.
"The gown will be sold on 27 January at #SothebysNewYork as part of 'The One' sale, which features an unprecedented selection of the finest products of human culture, achievement and history," the auction house shared in an Instagram post about the dress.
Diana wore the gown for more than one portrait.
Both of the portraits were taken in 1991, so not long after the dress would have been available for purchase. One of the portraits was taken by Lord Snowdon, Princess Margaret's former husband. The dress was also what Diana wore for a painting that now hangs in the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
She also wore it for what would end up being her final photo shoot.
In 1997, Diana posed for what would end up being her last formal photo shoot before her death — a shoot for the Vanity Fair cover by photographer Mario Testino.
Suffice it to say that this dress plays a huge role in Diana's fashion history.
The dress is expected to fetch a rather expensive sum.
The dress could end up selling anywhere from $80,000 and $120,000, according to Page Six. This is the second time it has sold — the first time, Diana put it up for auction herself to raise money for charity in 1997. Then, it sold for more than $24,000, or what would amount to around $44,000 in today's money, according to the news outlet.
Whoever ends up with this piece is very lucky.
They're buying a piece of history — and something that once belonged to a woman who is still one of the most talked about public figures in the world.
It also helps that it's a gorgeous dress too, though we have a feeling whoever ends up purchasing it has no plans to wear it!
