Princess Diana's Elegance lands in Ireland as full auction opens for bidding

Discover Princess Diana's iconic style and enduring legacy at the exclusive "Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection" exhibition in Newbridge, Ireland, featuring her most famous gowns and accessories before their auction.

June 5, 2024

a display of princess diana 's dresses and shoes in a museum .

The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Ireland hosts Julien's exclusive European exhibition of "Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection."

The Museum of Style Icons in Newbridge, Ireland, is set to become a pilgrimage site for fashion aficionados and royal enthusiasts alike as it hosts the exclusive European exhibition of "Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection." This capsule collection, showcasing some of Diana's most iconic gowns, daywear, hats, and handbags, offers a glimpse into the life of a woman who redefined royal fashion and captured the world's heart with her grace, compassion, and timeless style.

From the fairytale wedding dress to the elegant evening gowns by Catherine Walker and Victor Edelstein, each piece tells a story of Diana's journey as a fashion icon and humanitarian. The exhibition not only celebrates the artistic craftsmanship of her favorite British designers but also highlights her role as a patron of the fashion industry and a champion of social causes.

Princess Diana

1987 Victor Edelstein Magenta Silk and Lace Evening Dress

Estimate:

$200,000 - $400,000

A Victor Edelstein lace evening dress belonging to Princess Diana, worn in London on January 25th and in Hamburg, Germany on November 6, 1987.

This evening dress was loaned for exhibition at Kensington Palace, from February 24, 2017, to February 2019, for Diana: Her Fashion Story. Kensington Palace commissioned artist Julie Verhoeven for illustrations of Diana wearing some of her well-known fashions throughout her life, one of the illustrations included the lace gown designed by Victor Edelstein.

A magenta silk and lace evening dress designed by Victor Edelstein. The dress is off-the-shoulder with banded lace sleeves. A streamlined silhouette that remains fitted through the bodice and past the hips then goes into an ankle-length A-line skirt. The skirt has three tiers of gathered lace flounces with fringe scallop edges. Edelstein shows his couture skills by lining the dress in black silk, having a structured boned princess-seamed bodice, and hand-finished zip closure at the back of the garment. This dress was designed for Edelstein’s fall 1986 collection.

Diana's ability to communicate through fashion was unparalleled. She used her clothing choices to express her personality, connect with people, and raise awareness for important matters. She used her platform to shed light on often-overlooked issues, from AIDS awareness to mental health advocacy to supporting those experiencing homelessness. Her genuine warmth and empathy resonated with people across the globe, earning her the enduring title of "The People's Princess."

Her style evolved with her roles, reflecting her growth as a woman, a mother, and a global figure. From glamorous red-carpet appearances to her philanthropic missions, Diana's wardrobe choices were always deliberate, impactful, and unforgettable.

Princess Diana

1986 Murray Arbeid Midnight Blue Tulle Diamante Star Gown With Magazine

Estimate:

$200,000 - $400,000

A Murray Arbied embellished tulle gown belonging to Princess Diana of Wales, worn twice in 1986, once to the Phantom of the Opera premiere (October 1, 1986), and again to a dinner at Claridge's for King Constantine of Greece (July 6, 1986). Diana was also photographed in the gown attending a ballet performance of Cinderella at the Royal Opera House on December 17, 1987. Ten years later in 1997, Lord Snowden shot portraits for Princess Diana's dress auction (June 25, 1997); the portrait of Diana wearing this Arbeid design was included in the auction catalog Dresses From the Collection of Diana, Princess of Wales.

This gown was loaned for exhibition at Kensington Palace, from February 24, 2017 to February 2019, for Diana: Her Fashion Story.

A midnight blue tulle strapless gown with a fitted bodice that extends past the hips that then goes into a four-layered tulle flared skirt. The gown is lined with a purple acetate, the interior of the bodice is boned, and has an interior petersham waistband to balance the weight of the gown. Arbied designed the gown that features a ruched bodice starting from the sweet-heart neckline that continues past the hips, the entire bodice is decorated with mini diamonte stones in star-shapes, complimenting the dark blue, emulating a twilight sky. The layered skirt has an A-line shape, and the hem of each layer has crinoline tape sewn allowing each layer to float. There is a Murray Arbied London label present, along with a material composition tag.

The exhibition's centerpiece, the Midnight Blue Strapless Tulle Diamante Star Gown by Murray Arbeid, worn to the premiere of The Phantom of the Opera in 1986, is a demonstration to Diana's ability to command attention while oozing elegance. Estimated to fetch upwards of $400,000 at auction, this gown is a symbol of her enduring legacy in the world of fashion.

The exhibition is a poignant reminder of Diana's enduring influence on fashion, philanthropy, and our collective memory. It is a celebration of a woman who transcended royalty to become an icon of style, compassion, and grace.

Princess Diana

1989 Hong Kong Royal Tour Catherine Walker Yellow and Navy Skirt Suit

Estimate:

$30,000 - $50,000

A Catherine Walker two-piece yellow and navy skirt suit belonging to Princess Diana, photographed wearing November 8, 1989, in Hong Kong during a visit to Tamar, a British Forces shore base (day three of her visit), and for the opening of a Red Cross in Hong Kong; in London on February 14, 1990; and in London on June 15, 1991 at Buckingham Palace for the Trooping the Colour Celebrations.

A custom single-breasted bi-color yellow and navy skirt suit designed by Catherine Walker. The suit consists of a single-breasted blazer with a high-notch collar lapel and gold-tone buttons and a straight navy pencil skirt hemmed below the knee. Both the jacket and skirt are lined and have Catherine Walker labels present.

Princess Diana in the late eighties, and early nineties opted for a streamlined, executive look that was feminine, sharp and framed her in a powerful light. Catherine Walker would often use navy and pastels with her suit designs to make the suit designs softer.

Princess Diana wore the suit when she gave a speech and awarded the Gopaul family the award for "Family of the Year" in London, on February 14, 1990.

Don't miss this opportunity to experience the magic of Princess Diana's Elegance & A Royal Collection, open to the public with free admission until June 17th. It is a tribute to a woman whose style and spirit continue to inspire and captivate us all.

Register and bid on over 150 royal items in Princess Diana’s Elegance & A Royal Collection -- yours to own from now until likely never again. Don’t miss these items guaranteed to calm & ignite your People’s Princess.

a picture of a woman holding a baby with the date june 1982

Live Auction

PRINCESS DIANA'S ELEGANCE &

A ROYAL COLLECTION

Jun 27, 2024

10:00 AM PDT