Princess Diana’s iconic sweater fetches nearly £1 Million at auction

A previously lost and iconic sweater worn by Princess Diana has found its way back into the spotlight. It fetched nearly £1 million at Sotheby’s Fashion Icons auction in New York and online. The famous ‘black sheep’ jumper, made of red wool and adorned with white sheep and one black animal, sold for £885,000 ($1.1 million). It surpassed its initial estimate by an astounding margin.

“This exceptional garment, meticulously preserved, carries the whispers of Princess Diana’s grace, charm, and her keen eye for fashion,” noted Cynthia Houlton, Sotheby’s global head of fashion and accessories.

This significant sale marked a remarkable price for a sweater. It also represents the most substantial sum ever paid for an item connected to the late royal.

Lady Diana Spencer famously wore the sweater at a 1981 polo match while engaged to Prince Charles, and it gained immense popularity due to her fashion influence.

“Much to our amazement, the first we knew of Lady Diana Spencer wearing the sweater was when we saw her on the front page of one of the Sunday newspapers,” said the company that created the garment.

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Thanks to Princess Diana

The label Warm and Wonderful crafted the ‘black sheep’ jumper, and thanks to Diana’s endorsement, their unique design experienced an overwhelming surge in demand. Diana’s influential fashion choices led to a boost in sales and widespread recognition for the brand.

“Her influence was impactful almost immediately thereafter, leading to a surge in sales and public awareness of our small label, for which we will be forever grateful,” the company reflected.

The original sweater was once considered lost but was rediscovered gathering dust in an attic. In 2020, the brand revived the original design in collaboration with Rowing Blazer, despite discontinuing it in 1994.

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