Stunning collection of Princess Diana gowns and letters she wrote before her death to be sold at L.A. auction
A collection of Prince Diana’s dresses and letters written before her death will be sold at the largest auction of her belongings in 27 years.
Julien’s Auctions, the same auctioneer that sold Hugh Hefner and Marilyn Monroe memorabilia, will sell Prince Diana’s collection of couture dresses, shoes, clutches and handwritten letters in a live auction.
The highly anticipated event, titled ‘Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection’, will take place on June 27.
‘Princess Diana’s clothing choices transcended mere fashion statements; they were deliberate expressions of her identity, with each ensemble carefully curated to evoke a response, to provoke thought… fully aware of the power her style exerted,” according to the auction’s description on Julien’s website.
“What she may not have anticipated, however, is the lasting legacy her dignified glamor would leave, which would resonate increasingly strongly in the decades since her untimely death.
One of Diana’s most treasured timeless pieces available for purchase, cementing her status as a cultural icon, is her midnight blue Murray Arbeid tulle dress, adorned with sparkling diamond stars. The dress is estimated to sell for $200,000
Another of her fairytale ball gowns, a Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace evening gown she wore in Hamburg, Germany, in 1987, is also expected to sell for $200,000.
The princess made history when she was photographed in a pink floral Catherine Walker dress from 1988 during Prince William’s school sports day
From the enchanting wedding dress that stole the world’s heart in 1981, to the sharp, tailored suits that defined her later years, the Princess of Wales’s wardrobe chronicles her growth as a woman and a global icon.
One of Diana’s most valuable timeless pieces available for purchase is her midnight blue tulle dress from Murray Arbeid, adorned with sparkling diamond stars. The dress 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.
Dubbed the ‘People’s Princess’, she wore her dresses multiple times – a taboo in celebrity culture. The move was intended to offset the time spent making the dress and help the designer gain more press and clientele.
One of the Princess’s favorite designers, Catherine Walker, created her two-piece yellow and navy blue skirt suit which she wore several times during a visit to Hong Kong in 1989 for the opening of the Red Cross and in 1991 at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Color Celebrations. . The set is estimated to retail for $10,000
Pictured: Princess Diana visits the Hong Kong Red Cross in 1989
Another fairy ball gown of hers, a Victor Edelstein magenta silk and lace evening gown, is also expected to sell for between $200,000 and $400,000.
Diana first met Edelstein when she was pregnant with William, and the pair worked closely together as she was often present to tweak the designs to her taste.
Edelstein then produced the princess’s iconic ink blue velvet dress with a mermaid tail skirt that she wore when she danced with John Travolta at the White House.
One of the Princess’s favorite designers, Catherine Walker, created her two-piece yellow and navy blue 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 retail for $10,000.
The princess made history when she was photographed in a pink floral Catherine Walker dress from 1988 during Prince William’s school sports day.
Against the wishes of the crown, Diana entered the barefoot race with other mothers on June 21 of that year and ultimately finished in first place.
She was also photographed in the pink floral dress on August 22, 1991, as she left St. Mary’s Hospital in London after interacting with AIDS patients, and left Prince Harry’s school in Notting Hill in 1992.
In addition to dresses and suits, the auction will also include many of Diana’s beloved accessories, such as shoes, handbags and hats.
Some eye-catching pieces include a pair of Kurt Geiger’s emerald green satin evening shoes with bejeweled vamps, estimated to sell for between $2,000 and $4,000, and a yellow and black felted wool turban designed by the royal hatter Philip Somerville. expected to sell for $5,000.
A few standout pieces include a pair of Kurt Geiger’s emerald green satin evening shoes with bejeweled vamps, estimated to sell for between $2,000 and $4,000.
Princess Diana was photographed wearing this pair of Rayne two-tone suede and patent leather pumps while attending a luncheon at Ironmonger’s Hall in London as a patron of the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bulosa Research Association on June 24, 1993.
Pictured: A showing of Princess Diana’s dress collection in Ireland on June 4 before the items are auctioned
Pictured: An embellished 1995 black eveningwear illustration by Jacques Azagury is shown at Julien’s Auctions: ‘Princess Diana’s Elegance and Royal Collection’
And the auction isn’t limited to Diana’s couture pieces; her handwritten letters are also sold
And the auction isn’t limited to Diana’s couture pieces; her handwritten letters are also sold. All her letters are addressed solely to Mrs. Pendrey, a former housekeeper of the Spencer family, or to her and her husband.
Whether the princess was checking in on the Pendreys, sharing her honeymoon with Prince Charles or announcing the birth of Prince William, she made sure to stay in touch with those she loved. Depending on length, the letters range in price from $1,000 to $3,000.
Bidding opens at 10am on the Julien’s Auctions website. Part of the proceeds will benefit charities fighting muscular dystrophy in Great Britain.