A jumper worn by Princess Diana adorned with a black sheep design is set to be auctioned this summer with an estimated price of up to $80,000. The sweater, created by knitwear label Warm & Wonderful, will be the highlight of Sotheby’s Fashion Icons online sale, taking place from August 31 to September 14. Recently discovered in an attic by one of the brand’s founders, the garment is expected to garner significant attention from collectors and fans of Princess Diana.
Princess Diana donned the red jumper, featuring a lone black sheep among rows of white sheep, while watching Prince Charles play polo in June 1981, just a month before their wedding. This sparked speculation about its potential significance. Unfortunately, the jumper sustained damage on the wrist, prompting her private secretary Oliver Everett to reach out to Warm & Wonderful co-founder Joanna Osborne for repairs. Eventually, a replacement was sent to Diana a few months later, and she was photographed wearing it in 1983.
In a surprising turn of events, the original jumper was found by Osborne in a box in her attic earlier this year. Cynthia Houlton, global head of fashion at Sotheby’s, remarked on the significance of Diana’s decision to request a replacement and continue wearing the sweater. Houlton stated, “If you’re Princess Diana, certainly you have access to lots of pieces of apparel you could choose to wear… And the fact that she wanted a replacement and then again two years later wore… the replacement sweater, I think speaks volumes about how much this sweater meant to her.”
What sets this auction apart is the inclusion of Everett’s two letters to Joanna Osborne. The letters add further historical value to the jumper, providing insight into the interactions between Princess Diana and the knitwear label. With an estimated price between $50,000 and $80,000, this unique package of the jumper and letters is expected to attract significant interest from collectors and admirers of Princess Diana’s fashion.
Sotheby’s has enjoyed success with previous auctions of Princess Diana’s clothing, such as a purple velvet evening gown designed by Victor Edelstein, which sold for over $600,000 earlier this year, surpassing its pre-auction estimate by five times. The auction of this iconic jumper presents an opportunity for interested buyers and fans alike to own a meaningful piece of Princess Diana’s fashion legacy.
For those eager to view the jumper and letters firsthand, they are currently on display at Sotheby’s London until Wednesday. After that, they will be showcased in New York in September. By attending the exhibition, enthusiasts can get a closer look at this captivating artifact before it finds its new home through auction.
Links:
1. Sotheby’s Fashion Icons Online Auction
2. Architectural Digest Article on Princess Diana’s Sweater Auction
