Market dispatch·London
Stambolian's 'revenge dress' back on the block at Sotheby's, est. $300k
Princess Diana's famous black silk 'revenge dress' by Christina Stambolian will be auctioned at Sotheby's in December 2026, estimated at $150,000-300,000, its first auction appearance since Diana sold it in 1997. It goes on public display at Sotheby's in London from 18 September before touring to Hong Kong, Geneva and New York.
Princess Diana's celebrated 'revenge dress' is returning to auction after nearly 30 years, ArtDependence reported on 10 September 2026. The figure-hugging black silk evening dress by Greek designer Christina Stambolian, worn by Diana to a Serpentine Gallery gala on 29 June 1994 – the evening Prince Charles publicly acknowledged his infidelity – will be sold during Sotheby's Luxury Week this December with an estimate of $150,000-300,000 (£110,000-220,000). It is the first time the dress has been offered at auction since Diana herself sold 79 of her dresses in June 1997 to benefit cancer and AIDS charities. A rare copy of the original sale catalogue, numbered and signed by the princess and the dress's designer, will be sold with it, and part of the proceeds will go to NHS Lothian Charity. The dress goes on public view at Sotheby's in London from 18 September during London Fashion Week, before touring to Hong Kong and Geneva and then to New York, where the live sale takes place on 9 December.
