Lady Diana died on August 31, 1997. However, nearly 26 years after her death, her style, almost as much as her generosity, continues to leave its mark on generations. So much so that the auction house Sotheby’s has decided to put up for sale an iconic sweater that belonged to Lady Di. According to estimates, it would be worth several tens of thousands of euros.
This is the auction that all fans of Lady Diana. From August 31, 2023, which will mark the 26th anniversary of the disappearance of the princess of hearts, Sotheby’s house will allow everyone to bid online on one of the favorite pieces of the woman who died in Paris at the age of 36. The garment in question? A Red jumper in wool on which are knitted little white sheep and a little black sheep. The first time the then still Diana Spencer wore this piece was in june 1981, when she has just become engaged to Prince Charles. In a photo that goes around the world, she stands pensively dressed in raw jeans and a Peter Pan collar shirt tucked under her sweater. The creators of this sweater, Sally Muir and Joanna Osborneat the head of the young brand Warm & Wonderful that they had launched two years earlier, then enjoyed phenomenal success.
Only here it is: a few weeks after the publication of this snapshot, the two entrepreneurs received a letter from Buckingham Palace. The palace returns them Lady Diana’s sweater, damaged. Warm & Wonderful refers to this address a new model, which earned them a letter of thanks from Oliver Everett, the private secretary of the future Princess of Wales.
Two years later, once again, Lady Diana, who has meanwhile married Prince Charles, again wears the famous red sweater at a polo match in Windsor’s Great Park. This time around, she’s teaming it with red pumps, white pants and a pussy bow shirt.
“The Black Sheep Sweater”, a sweater that has become cult
The story of Black Sheep Sweater (that’s his nickname) could have stopped there. And yet. In March 2023, Joanna Osborne searches her attic from top to bottom, looking for a former boss. That’s when she notices a small box, in which is stored a certain red wool sweater with one of the sleeves damaged. Could this be the very first model worn by Lady Diana? The co-founder of Warm & Wonderful entrusts her discovery to Sotheby’s, who meticulously examines the piece and concludes in the affirmative. The British auction house then decides to reveal it to the general public as part of the New York sale. Fashion Icons, which includes pieces that belonged to international personalities. To afford it, you will have to pay at least between 44,500 and 71,200 euros. But let those who do not have such a sum in their bank account rest assured: Warm & Wonderful markets a reproduction of this mythical knit at the price of 220 euros. More accessible and just as stylish.