Late Princess Diana’s Symbolic Sweater Resurfaces, Proving Her Timeless Influence
Diana, Princess of Wales, continues to captivate hearts and make fashion history even after her passing. The iconic red sweater featuring a black sheep motif, originally worn by Diana to a 1981 polo match, fetched an astonishing $120,000 at Sotheby’s New York during their first-ever “Fashion Icons” event. This sum far exceeded the initial price tag of $50 in the 1980s and even surpassed the highest price ever achieved for one of Diana’s outfits – $604,800 for her purple Victor Edelstein gown earlier this year.
The jumper, produced by the Warm & Wonderful brand, holds sentimental significance as it symbolizes Diana’s unique position within the royal family. Known as “the People’s Princess,” Diana defied royal conventions and embraced her individuality, earning her a special place in the hearts of the public.
Cynthia Houlton, Global Head of Fashion & Accessories at Sotheby’s, highlights the enduring relevance of Diana’s distinctiveness. She remarks, “When we think of the black-sheep motif, at one point it might have been considered a negative thing to be different from the rest of the flock. But today, it’s OK to be unique and to stand out in the crowd. I think she probably had some feelings that she was like that black sheep—very different in the sea of the Royals, who were very much the same.”
Diana’s affection for the sweater was evident as her aide once wrote to the founders of Warm & Wonderful, Joanna Osborne and Sally Muir, to inquire about repairing or replacing the beloved garment. After being lost in storage for years, the original sweater was found in Osborne’s attic, confirming its authenticity with a detached cuff.
In a deliberate act of self-expression, Diana wore the jumper again in 1983, this time with a white collar and a black ribbon tie, showcasing her conscious fashion choices. Houlton emphasizes that Diana used fashion as a powerful means to express herself creatively amidst the constraints of royal life.
As Diana’s ‘black sheep’ sweater finds a new home, it serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of a princess who forever changed the world, not just through her fashion choices but also through her profound impact on society and her unwavering commitment to charity work. Diana, Princess of Wales, continues to be celebrated for who she was and the indelible mark she left on the world, far beyond her remarkable sense of style.
