In the mid-eighties of the last century, Princess Diana, then Princess of Wales and wife of Crown Prince Charles, was one of the most famous and popular women in the world. Like Kate Middleton today, her every fashion choice has made waves. Photos of the beautiful princess in sweeping evening dresses regularly appeared on magazine covers. Her style has had a huge impact on the tastes of women all over the world. Some of the fashion items Diana wore are etched in the public memory. Yesterday (Monday), such a dress was sold at a record price.
At an auction in Los Angeles, Princess Diana's dress shattered records, selling for a staggering $1.1 million, ten times the opening price. An astronomical sum for a royal fashion item and also evidence of the Princess of Hearts' enduring legacy to this day, more than a quarter of a century after her death.
One of Princess Diana's head-turning Jacques Azagury looks sells for a record breaking amount at Hollywood auction https://t.co/cAgP64aJHk pic.twitter.com/8dbCwveKIT
— Tatler (@Tatlermagazine) December 18, 2023
The dress, an impressive design by designer Jacques Azaguri, captivated the audience then with its elegance and grace. The style, bold shoulders, puffy sleeves, low waistline, gift wrap tying and shimmering star detailing, is quintessential 1980s style. The materials, black velvet and royal blue organza, created a mesmerizing royal effect. There was elegant sophistication and youthful playfulness. The design perfectly embodied the spirit of Diana, a combination of majesty and warmth that resonated with millions around the world.
The designer, Jacques Azaguri, who was born in Morocco and graduated in design from the prestigious St. Martin College of Art in London, which opened a flagship store in 1987 in the British capital, used to visit Kensington Palace regularly for meetings with the princess.
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The dress was sold as part of the four-day "Hollywood Legends" sale, a joint venture of TCM Television, which broadcasts classic motion pictures, and Julian Oaks, which specializes in sales of iconic objects and collections of Hollywood stars, athletes and businessmen, such as Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Lady Gaga, Cher, Michael Jackson, U2, Barbra Streisand, Neil Young, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Hugh Hefner, Pele, and more.
The blouse worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, in her engagement portrait by Lord Snowdon, smashed its £63,000 estimate and sold for a whopping £300,000 today at Julien's. The #frockingfabulous blouse was by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who also designed Diana's wedding gown. pic.twitter.com/Kx9Aby5nnd
— Catherine Curzon (@MadameGilflurt) December 18, 2023
A pink chiffon shirt Diana wore to her engagement photo to Prince Charles in 1981 sold for $381,<>. The shirt, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, who also designed Diana's wedding dress, was valued at eighty to one hundred thousand dollars.
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