Diana’s historic “revenge dress” returns to auction, valued at up to $300,000

Princess Diana’s black dress, known for years as the “Revenge Dress,” will go up for auction again in New York in December, returning to the public spotlight.

The iconic outfit is currently on display at Sotheby’s in London. Before being offered at the December 9 auction, it will also be exhibited in Hong Kong and Geneva.

Princess Diana wore the dress on June 29, 1994, at a gala held at the Serpentine Gallery in London. The figure-hugging black silk design, featuring bare shoulders, immediately became one of her most famous looks.

The term “Revenge Dress” was later associated with the look and became widely used in the fashion world. According to British media, her choice of dress was linked to the way Diana used clothing to express herself during a difficult period in her marriage.

The dress was created by Greek designer Christina Stambolian. After Diana’s death, it was included in her collection sold by Christie’s in 1997 at an auction aimed at raising funds for charity. Sotheby’s documents show that the dress was purchased at the time by a private collector and has remained privately owned ever since.

Sotheby’s expects the dress to fetch between $150,000 and $300,000. The auction is scheduled for December 9 in New York as part of “Luxury Week.”

Considered one of the best-known pieces from Diana’s fashion legacy, the dress is returning to auction nearly three decades after its last sale. Its return has generated significant interest in the American and British media.