A highly significant piece of Princess Diana’s wardrobe, her renowned ‘black sheep’ jumper, is set to be auctioned later this summer, with an estimated value of up to $80,000. The sweater, created by Warm & Wonderful, will take center stage in Sotheby’s Fashion Icons online sale from August 31 to September 14. Earlier this year, one of the founders of the knitwear label discovered the garment in an attic, reigniting interest in this iconic piece.
Princess Diana first donned the red jumper, featuring a single black sheep amidst a flock of white sheep, while attending a polo game to watch Prince Charles in June 1981, just before their marriage. Its appearance sparked curiosity and speculation about its potential symbolism. Following damage to the wrist area, Diana’s private secretary, Oliver Everett, reached out to Warm & Wonderful’s co-founder, Joanna Osborne, to inquire about repairs. The jumper was subsequently sent back and, a few months later, Diana received a replacement, which she was photographed wearing in 1983.
In March, Osborne rediscovered the original jumper stored in a box in her attic. The auction includes the sweater itself, accompanied by the two letters from Everett to Osborne. Sotheby’s has estimated its value to be between $50,000 and $80,000. Earlier this year, the auction house achieved remarkable success by selling a strapless evening gown worn by Diana for over $600,000—five times its pre-auction estimate.
For a limited time, the jumper and letters are on display at Sotheby’s London until Wednesday, after which they will be exhibited in New York in September, allowing admirers to appreciate their historical significance.
