Million-dollar sweater: Bids pour in for Diana's sheep jumper

Million-dollar sweater: Bids pour in for Diana's sheep jumper

By Alifereti Sakiasi
Friday 15/09/2023
Princess Diana first wore the sheep jumper to a polo match in 1981 [Photo: Vogue]

Princess Diana's sweater featuring a black sheep among rows of white ones has sold for $1.14 million (£920,000) at an auction by Sotheby's in New York.

Bidding opened 31 August, and the top bid stayed under $200,000 (£161,000) until the auction's final minutes.

Sotheby's had estimated the value of the "sheep jumper" at $50,000 to $80,000 (£40,300 to £64,500).

It did not disclose the identity of the winning bidder.

The simple piece of knitwear, which was unearthed in an attic in March, commanded a higher price than many other objects tied to the "People's Princess" that were sold at auctions in recent years.

Diana's car, a Ford Escort, may be the closest, going for $806,000 (£650,000) in 2022.

The amethyst-bedecked Attallah Cross that Diana frequently wore was sold to reality star Kim Kardashian for roughly one-fifth of the sweater's amount - $203,000 (£163,800) - at an auction in January.

The sweater's design is often described as symbolic of Diana's place within the royal family.

But fashion historians believe Diana was not sending a message, as she may have done in later years with her famous "revenge dress", when she wore the sweater in 1981, a month before her wedding to then Prince Charles. Instead, many say Diana was simply sporting the "Sloane Ranger" style she helped popularise.

In the era before social-media influencers, newspaper photos of Diana in the sweater gave its maker, Warm and Wonderful knitwear, a "stratospheric launch" and inspired copycat designs, according to Sotheby's.

Shortly after her marriage, Buckingham Palace wrote to Warm and Wonderful that the sweater had been damaged and sought a repair or replacement. Princess Diana then wore the replacement to another polo match in 1983.

Sotheby's included the letter to Warm and Wonderful as well as a thank-you note for the replacement in the auction lot. It also used the sweater's small hole to confirm authenticity.

Source: BBC News

FEATURE NEWS
Calls made to reinstate paternity leave and expand family care leave to primary caregivers
Calls are being made to reinstate paternity leave and to remove the restriction of family care leave to immediate family members only. While propos...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Trump signs slew of executive actions after being sworn in
Donald Trump has signed a series of executive actions, including one revoking 78 of Joe Biden’s presidential actions, hours after officially ...
14 minutes ago

Some members of the Group of 16 approached me, I won’t reveal the names as he may kick them out - PM
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka has revealed that some members of the Group of 16 led by Opposition Leader, Inia Seruiratu had earlier approached him ...
18 minutes ago

UniFiji formally lodges complaint with Online Safety Commission regarding personal and racist attacks
The University of Fiji has lodged a complaint against individuals from an educational institution disseminating false information designed to ...
2 hours ago

Macroeconomics of Climate Change Course will strengthen our policy-making and decision-making – Prof Prasad
As we stand on the frontline of climate change, we face unprecedented challenges that test our resilience, adaptability, and strategic ...
2 hours ago

No automatic progression policy in education system - Manumanunitoga
The automatic progression for students in the education system is not a policy. This has been highlighted by the General Secretary of the Fijian ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Pryde reinstated as DPP
Suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, Christopher Pryde has been reinstated to his position after a tribunal investigating the allegations ...
3 hours ago

Virgin Australia crew members allegedly sexually assaulted and robbed outside Nadi nightclub
A man has been charged with the rape and sexual assault of one of the Virgin Australia crew members in the early hours of New Year’s Day, near a ...
16 days ago

Lynda Tabuya dismissed as Minister for Women, Children and Social Protection
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka says in light of the recent events concerning the conduct of Lynda Tabuya, and in consideration of the Oath she has ...
25 days ago

TOP