Home / Arts and Entertainment / Diana's Dresses Fetch Millions at Auction
Diana's Dresses Fetch Millions at Auction
5 Apr
Summary
- Diana's velvet gown sold for $1.14 million, a record price.
- Her dresses raised over $3 million for cancer and AIDS research.
- Diana often gave away her coats to the homeless in winter.
Princess Diana's most memorable dresses continue to capture attention and significant bids at auction, often supporting causes close to her heart. In June 1997, an auction of 79 of her dresses, initiated by Prince William, raised over $3 million for cancer and AIDS research. Her fashion legacy is intertwined with her humanitarian efforts, with bespoke creations from designers like Catherine Walker and Bruce Oldfield serving as poignant reminders of her life devoted to others.
A standout piece, a velvet Jacques Azagury gown from 1985 adorned with a celestial pattern, set a world record in December 2023, selling for $1.14 million. Another notable sale was a magenta Victor Edelstein dress from January 1987, which fetched $910,000 in June 2024. A midnight blue Murray Arbeid dress, worn to the Phantom of the Opera premiere in October 1986, sold for $780,000 at a June 2024 auction.
Other significant sales include an aubergine Victor Edelstein ball dress from 1989, which sold for $604,800 in 2023, and a black velvet evening gown by Catherine Walker for $571,500 in June 2024. A Catherine Walker coat dress worn in January 1995 also sold for $455,000. Intriguingly, Diana's coats are rarely auctioned because she would give them away to homeless individuals during frigid winter months, a testament to her compassionate nature.
