Every lot from the largest collection of Princess Diana’s most famous and photographed clothing pieces and accessories was sold in the headline-making event.
Julien’s Auctions made history in their highly-anticipated Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection auction after selling all of the royal legend’s exquisite items. The exclusive presentation—held live in front of an audience of collectors, museum curators, and fans at The Peninsula Beverly Hills in Los Angeles, California—featured the largest curated collection of Princess Diana’s most famous gowns, suits, dresses, shoes, and handbags since her historic 1997 auction.
Prior to that, massive crowds gathered to visit exhibitions of the collection held around the world in Hong Kong, New York, Ireland, and Los Angeles. The collection of over 50 lots had regalia made by Princess Diana’s favorite British designers. These include Catherine Walker, Victor Edelstein, Caroline Charles, and Murray Arbeid. Also part of the collection were the princess’ poignant letters, photos with her personal messages, and holiday cards from 1981 to 1995 that she wrote to Maud Pendrey, a housekeeper at the Spencer family home at Althorp in Northamptonshire England.
The auction, which had over 200 lots, also highlighted historical items from royal fashion trendsetters who came before Diana, such as The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, and The Duke of Windsor.
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Auction Highlights
Asia Visits
Highlights of the auction include garments and accessories that Diana wore during her famous Asia visits in the late 1980s to early 1990s. These include the Catherine Walker Yellow and Navy Suit from her 1989 Hong Kong visit (which fetched $325,000), Rayne Violet Leather Clutch from the same Hong Kong visit and a 1992 royal tour in India (which sold for $88,900). There’s also the Rayne White & Red Leather Clutch, which she used during a Japan visit in 1986 (it fetched $63,500).
Memorable Gowns and Shoes
Diana’s most recognizable gowns were also included in the auction. Namely her Victor Edelstein Magenta Silk and Lace Flamenco Style Evening Dress (which sold for $910,000), which she wore to London and Hamburg, Germany in 1987. There’s also the Murray Arbeid Midnight Blue Strapless Tulle Diamante Star Gown (which fetched $780,000), which she wore to the 1986 Phantom of the Opera premiere.
The Princess of Wales’ stunning shoes were also among the coveted lots in the auction. These include her Kurt Geiger Emerald Green Satin Evening Pumps, which she wore to a 1993 State Banquet in London (which fetched $390,000). A pair of Salvatore Ferragamo violet leather pumps that the princess wore while visiting Seville, Spain in 1992 sold for $127,000.
Avid Collectors And A Good Cause
One of the biggest buyers at the event was Renae Plant, President of The Princess & The Platypus Foundation and owner of The Princess Diana Museum in Los Angeles. Plant acquired fifteen top lots, and is considered the world’s largest collector of Princess Diana’s most prominent items. She intends to display these newly obtained treasures in her museum, which pays homage to the life and legacy of Princess Diana. Among the lots she purchased, lot 25 (the Salvatore Ferragamo violet purple leather pumps) hold particular significance to her, as the late princess wore them when they met in 1988.
In the spirit of Diana’s charity work and support for meaningful causes, a portion of the auction proceeds of select items will benefit Muscular Dystrophy UK, the leading charity for over 110,000 people in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle-wasting and weakening conditions.
“The phenomenal results of today’s historic auction held just a few days before Princess Diana’s birthday demonstrates why Diana is and always will remain one of the world’s most beloved and inspiring cultural figures,” shares Martin Nolan, co-founder and executive director of Julien’s Auctions, in a press statement. “These exquisite garments, shoes and accessories not only made fashion statements, but also displayed her warmth and humanity, which made Diana the most popular and greatest royal style icon of all time.”
Photos courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.
