Princess Diana’s iconic sheepskin sweater can fetch at least $50,000 at auction
LONDON (AP) — A red sweater decorated with a flock of sheep worn by young Princess Diana is expected to sell for more than $50,000 at auction.
The playful wool sweater featuring a single black sheep amidst a pattern of white wool sweaters headlines Sotheby’s September online Fashion Icons sale.
19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer was photographed in the garment at a polo match in June 1981, shortly after her engagement to Prince Charles, who was then heir to the British throne.
Diana already became one style icon —- and one of the world’s most photographed women — and the moment gave a big boost to designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who created the sweater for their small knitwear label, Warm & Wonderful.
A few weeks later, Muir and Osborne received an official letter from Buckingham Palace explaining that Diana had damaged the jersey and asking if it could be repaired or replaced. The original was returned showing damage to a cover that the designers believed was caused by it snagging on Diana’s diamond and sapphire engagement ring.
A new sweater was knitted and shipped, and Diana was photographed wearing white jeans and a black tie at a 1983 event.
Some have speculated that Diana liked the “black sheep” pattern because she felt like an outsider in the royal family. Emma Korrin wore a replica as young Diana in season four of “The Crown.”
Warm & Wonderful still makes a cotton version of the design, which retails for £190 ($250). Osborne found the original forgotten in a box in the attic earlier this year.
Cynthia Houlton, Sotheby’s global head of fashion and accessories, said: “This exceptional garment, carefully preserved, carries the whispers of Princess Diana’s grace, charm and her keen eye for fashion.”
The sweater, which has an estimated price of $50,000 to $80,000, will be on display at Sotheby’s showroom in New York from September 7 to 13. Online bidding begins August 31 and runs through September 14.
The record for a piece of Diana memorabilia is $604,800 for one Ball gown designed by Victor Edelstein sold by Sotheby’s in January.
