Princess Diana's Clothing Sells Above Estimates

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jun 8th 2010 at 11:01PM

Proving the enduring legacy of Princess Diana, the black taffeta gown that she wore on her first official appearance after her engagement to Prince Charles sold recently for a price far above the estimate. The dress was estimated at 30-50,000 pounds but sold for 192,000 pounds in an auction today, June 8 by Kerry Taylor Auctions at La Galleria in London. The gown was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, the same designers who created Diana's wedding. The black dress with a sequined flounce at the bodice cemented Diana's status as more than just "shy Di" but a woman worth watching.

The dress was bought by fashion museum the Fundacion Museo De La Moda in Chile. Jorge Yarur, the founder of the museum, has said that when he dies he plans to have this dress and the other Diana dresses he owns donated to Kensington Palace, where she lived from the time of her wedding in 1981 until her death in 1997. Other items in the lots included the chiffon blouse worn by the Princess when she appeared in Vogue shortly after the announcement of her engagement. That went to the Newbridge Silverware Museum in Ireland for 26,400 pounds against an estimate of 10,000-15,000 pounds. The calico toile prototype for the Royal Wedding gown, brought in 20,400 pounds against an estimate of 8,000 and 12,000 pounds.

Tags: kerry taylor auctions, princess diana, princess diana auction, princess diana dresses, Princess Diana exhibits

Filed under: Apparel, Auctions

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

F.A. Skronski Jun 9th 2010 12:05PM

Gorgeous dress. Did the woman holding the dress forget to comb her hair, all I can see of her face is her nose.

Betsy Jun 9th 2010 1:47PM

The lady holding up the dress is Elizabeth Emanuel the designer of the
Diana dress(es) Her nose isnt that big she just has a small face and as you age your nose droops Remember: As I am now you will one day be as you are now, I once was

RYAN Jun 9th 2010 1:48PM

F A the lady is half alaskian husky......

Storm Jun 9th 2010 2:04PM

It doesn't matter who the lady is - It's the Lady Diana Spencer is who I miss. Both of you wouldn't be making Ugly comments about her if it weren't about Lady Diana..Right. Maybe you need to look in the mirror and see what things your don't like about your FACE!!

ppcason Jun 28th 2010 11:10AM

I have had the privlege of working with some of the Ladies that put on the "Princess Dianna Dress exhibits" in Naples Florida. These women are dedicated to putting on the very best educational exhibit that they can. THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO BE CONCERNED WITH THEIR APPEARANCE, if they were to stop and comb their hair and primp there would be NO exhibit for you the public to see. SO, let's be less critical and show some appreciation! I have found that these Ladies really love their work and are trying very hard to share some of the Royal Families history with the world, tnat is what is important here.If you are bound and determined to criticize someone watch "The Jerry Springer Show! "Now there is somthing for you the perfectionness to really sink your fangs in!!! With all good intentions, Les

lex Jun 11th 2010 5:24PM

What's all the writer/editor/publisher fuss about the garment fetching more than estimates at auction. Had they ever done auctions, they would know that estimates are merely auctioneer ploys intended to entice bidding at more that an item is worth...like creating a market, and having little or nothing to do with intrinsic value. The entire (and only point) of estimates is for the estimate to be surpassed. That gown would have been won for far less without the estimate ... because bidders--not being "experts"--and not realizing they were being steered by auction experts (also not gown experts)--would have been more inclined to think during bidding about the possibility of overpaying. A competent auctioneer's primary objective and skill is to make sure no one ever gets a fair price. Auction bidding is most always a losing game...for the winners especially.