A vibrant crimson sweater adorned with a charming flock of sheep, once worn by the youthful Princess Diana, has recently fetched an astonishing $1.1 million at auction. Shattering all expectations and setting a new record for an item associated with the beloved late royal.
According to details, the late princess wore this red sweater with black sheepskin during a polo match in 1981, on which occasion her husband King Charles was also with her. It should be noted that this rare sweater was lost somewhere, after finding it, it was put up for auction. It was expected not to sell for more than 90 thousand, but it was sold for more than 1.1 million dollars.
This whimsically patterned woolen jumper, featuring a lone black sheep nestled among a sea of white counterparts. Found its new owner during Sotheby’s online Fashion Icons sale, with the identity of the successful bidder remaining a tantalizing mystery. Initially appraised by the auction house at a humble $50,000 to $80,000, the bidding frenzy unfolded over two weeks, culminating last Thursday. With a mere 15 minutes left before the gavel fell, the highest bid stood at $190,000. Yet, in a dramatic crescendo, the price soared to a staggering $1.1 million, leaving spectators in awe.
The red sweater, with its distinctive ovine motif, captured the world’s attention when 19-year-old Lady Diana Spencer sported it at a polo match in June 1981. Shortly after her engagement to Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne at the time. Diana was already on her way to becoming a global fashion icon and one of the most photographed women worldwide. This moment proved pivotal for designers Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, who crafted the sweater for their small knitwear label, Warm & Wonderful.
In the weeks that followed, Muir and Osborne received an official letter from Buckingham Palace. Revealing that Diana had accidentally damaged the sweater, possibly due to her diamond and sapphire engagement ring. They promptly knitted and dispatched a replacement sweater. Diana later graced public events in the new one, pairing it with white jeans and a black ribbon tie in 1983. Astonishingly, the original sweater lay forgotten in an attic until it resurfaced earlier this year.
Some speculate that the fascination with the “black sheep” pattern was symbolic of Diana, who may have felt like an outsider within the royal family. This iconic fashion choice was immortalized when Emma Corrin donned a replica as the young Diana in season four of “The Crown.”
