Princess Diana's iconic 'black sheep' sweater to be auctioned
What's the story
Princess Diana, the former Princess of Wales, was once seen wearing the famous black sheep sweater in the summer of 1981 that made her look the talk of the town.
Recently, in March, it has been recovered, post reports claiming that the original sweater was lost. It is now set to be auctioned off from August 31 to September 14.
Auction
It's expected to be priced at $50,000 to $80,000
The popular sweater that once stirred conversations among media and the general public is expected to be priced somewhere between $50,000-80,000, as reported.
It is going to be auctioned by Sotheby in New York in its inaugural Fashion Icons auction.
Sotheby in its statement to Marie Claire revealed that this sweater made Princess Diana a global fashion icon.
Features
She wore this sweater during a Polo match
Princess Diana was seen wearing this sweater when she was about 20. She chose to wear it at now King Charles III's polo match, a month before they got married in 1981.
The red woolen sweater has rows of white sheep and one black sheep on the front. Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne owners of knitwear brand Warm & Wonderful designed it in 1979.
Bytes
'Princess Diana's wardrobe often pushed the boundaries of societal norms'
Cynthia Houlton, Sotheby's Global Head of Fashion & Accessories told T&C, "Princess Diana's wardrobe often pushed the boundaries of societal norms at the time and had a unique way of transcending her personality through to the public."
She further revealed that the moment the princess was seen wearing this sweater, it left the media guessing what message she was giving out to the world.
Events
The designers received a thank you letter from the princess
Weeks after her first outing, Princess Diana damaged her original sweater, and Muir and Osborne were requested by Buckingham Palace to repair or replace it.
They sent her a newly knitted sweater, which was acknowledged with a thank-you note from Princess Diana's private secretary, Oliver Everett CVO.
Per Warm & Wonderful's website, the black sheep appears to be positioned higher on the new sweater.
Occasion
She wore this sweater again in 1982
Houltan shared, "As one of the most photographed women of all time, she made a firm decision to wear this design not once, but twice in public - further alluding that it was a deeply personal item to 'the people's princess'."
She wore the new sweater at another polo match in 1982 with white jeans, a large white collar, and a black ribbon tie.
Information
Bidding starts in August
According to reports, online bidding for this sweater will be open from August 31 to September 14 this year. The sweater is set to be showcased in New York from September 7.