An evening dress worn by the late Princess Diana has fetched an astonishing $1.1 million at auction, surpassing its estimated value by 11 times and setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for one of her dresses, according to Los Angeles-based Julien's Auctions.
The black and blue ballerina-length evening dress, designed by Jacques Azagury, made its debut on Princess Diana in Florence in 1985. She was also photographed in it a year later on a visit to Vancouver, the auction house said.
The dress, along with a matching illustration, sold for $1,148,080, Julien's Auctions said on Sunday, after listing it with an estimate of $100,000 - $200,000.
"Julien’s now holds the new world record for the most expensive dress worn by Princess Diana sold at auction," it said in a statement, adding that the previous auction record was $604,800.
The dress is made of a long black velvet top with blue stars embroidered on it. The skirt is two-tiered and made of blue organza, with a sash and bow.
This dress was part of a bigger auction called "Hollywood Legends" by Julien's Auctions and Turner Classic Movies. The auction also included other items related to famous people.
A pink chiffon blouse which Diana wore for her 1981 engagement portrait to then Prince Charles by Lord Snowdon sold for $381,000.
The blouse, by David and Elizabeth Emanuel who went on to design Diana's wedding dress, had an estimate of $80,000 - $100,000.
