Twilight News Edition 541
Edition 541, 16th September 2023
Princess Diana’s ‘black sheep’ knit is the most valuable sweater ever sold at auction
By Fiona Jhaveri
When it comes to the beloved Princess Diana, I think you and I can both agree that she is one of the most iconic people to leave an impact on the world through her fashion as it relates to royal dress codes and more. From her memorable wedding dress to the cocktail dress known as her "revenge dress" in 1994, and even her preference for sporty athleisure in the '90s, Princess Diana's bold fashion choices have become a lasting part of her legacy.
In New York on Thursday, a country-style knitted sweater worn by Princess Diana at a polo match in 1981 while she was engaged to King Charles III set a new auction record. It was the highlight of Sotheby's Fashion Icons auction, fetching an impressive $1,143,000 after a rapid increase in the last 15 minutes of the sale, starting from $190,000.
Before this, the highest price achieved for an item from Princess Diana's wardrobe was for a Victor Edelstein ball gown made for her in 1989. This strapless, maroon silk-velvet dress with a distinctive tulip skirt was seen as a significant example of Diana's evolving fashion sense. It was sold for $604,800 earlier this year. However, the unique knitted sweater sold today not only surpassed that previous record, but it also became the most valuable sweater ever auctioned. (The previous record was held by a cardigan worn by Kurt Cobain during a Nirvana performance on MTV Unplugged, according to Sotheby’s.)
Crafted in 1979 by knitwear designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne for their label Warm & Wonderful, this sweater features a pattern of white sheep in rows, with one black sheep standing out at the front. Shortly after Diana wore the sweater, she noticed a minor snag on one of the cuffs and returned it to the Warm & Wonderful label through Buckingham Palace. Without delay, Muir and Osborne knitted a new sweater for her, which she later wore again at a 1983 polo match. Initially predicted to sell for an estimated amount ranging between $50,000 and $80,000, the sweater exceeded expectations during the auction with a total of 44 bids, eventually selling for a remarkable 14 times more than the highest estimate, as reported by Sotheby’s.
In response to the successful auction, Muir and Osborne expressed their delight: "We are thrilled that this beloved sweater has found a new home, carrying along the lasting legacy of Princess Diana."