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
Drua avenges loss defeating Moana Pasifika 24-17 in Lautoka
The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua have avenged their loss to Moana Pasifika in Round 2 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific after defeating them 24-17 ...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
NFA urges Govt and schools to insure their property as fire destroys Ra High dormitories and workshop
The National Fire Authority is urging the government and schools around the country to insure their properties to avoid huge losses in case of a fire ...
26 minutes ago

6 new jobs created as Just Right opens in Damodar Complex in Labasa
Six new jobs have been created as Just Right restaurant opened its first branch in Damodar Complex in Labasa. Director of Just Right, Jie Deng ...
28 minutes ago

Nagonenicolo District empowers over 60 tertiary students with scholarships for brighter futures
Despite the challenges faced over the past years, history has been created for the 12 villages in the Tikina of Nagonecolo in Naitasiri when over 60 ...
31 minutes ago

NDMO to hold consultation on Community-Based Disaster Rural Management Policy before tabling to Cabinet
In efforts to strengthen the Nation's disaster preparedness phase, the National Disaster Management Office held its first divisional consultation at ...
40 minutes ago

Man charged by FICAC with 1 count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception
A business man has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of Obtaining A Financial Advantage by ...
44 minutes 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
Radrodro reinstated as Education Minister
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has reappointed the new SODELPA Leader, Aseri Radrodro to his previous post as Minister for ...
2 days ago

Bainimarama and Qiliho's Acquittal Appeal
Coverage on the appeal filed by Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, John Rabuku against the acquittal of the former Prime Minister Voreqe ...
24 days ago

National Program Manager for Fiji 7s, Gareth Baber appears on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Gareth Baber appeared on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan to share his plans heading into the preparations for the upcoming tournaments ...
25 days ago

TOP