The "revenge dress" worn by Diana, Princess of Wales is going under the hammer.
The late royal wore the black gown by Christina Stambolian to a Vanity Fair party in London in June 1994 just hours after her estranged husband King Charles - then Prince of Wales - admitted to being unfaithful in a TV interview which aired earlier that night. The couple went on to divorce in 1996.
Now the dress is being auctioned off by Sotheby’s at a one off sale in New York on December 9 and it's estimated to sell for between $150,000 and $300,000. Sotheby’s global head of handbags and fashion, Morgane Halimi, said: "It occupies a unique place in fashion history because it represents one of those very rare moments when a garment transcends fashion to become part of culture history.
"She created a look that no one had ever seen her present before. That allowed her to show her resolve to stand up for herself and reclaim the narrative of a story that would have been heartbreaking for anyone in her situation."
She added: "People have long used clothing to signal confidence, transformation or a new chapter in their lives. What Diana did was crystallise that idea in a single image that the world immediately understood. The phrase ‘revenge dressing’ entered the cultural lexicon because of this dress."
A listing on the auction house's website describes the item, stating: "Princess Diana The Revenge Dress by Christina Stambolian worn June 29, 1994, made in black silk crepe with a criss-crossing pleated bodice and an off-the-shoulder neckline, culminating in a diagonally draped figure hugging chiffon skirt with flowing side swept train, labelled, bust: 78cm, 31in, waist: 74cm, 29in, hip: 82cm, 32in, length: 77cm, 30in.
"Including a sale catalog from Dresses from the Collection of Diana, Princess of Wales signed by Diana and designer Christina Stambolian."
Diana previously sold the dress as part of a charity auction back in July 1997 and it raised £39,098 ($53,00). The royal died just weeks later in a car crash in Paris, France.
The dress will be put on display in London before travelling to sites in Hong Kong and Geneva prior to the sale in New York.
