Princess Diana’s Record Breaking Dress Was Designed By A Moroccan Designer
Moroccan-born Jacques Azagury created the legendary gown which sold for 11 times its original cost
Princess Diana’s outfits have made their way into our street style inspiration books, from her more casual cycling shirts and crewnecks to her infamous “revenge” dress.
Earlier this year, in May, her famous Warm & Wonderful sheep sweater sold for 4.96 Million Dhs ($1.143 Million) at Sotheby’s.
Princess Diana’s Record Breaking Dress Was Designed By A Moroccan Designer
Recently, Julien’s Auction House in California set a new record with the sale of the blue Jacques Azagury gown, which sold at 11 times its initial estimate of 370,000 Dhs ($100,000). The auction, which was titled Glamour, Grace & Greatness: Classic Hollywood, was comprised of 16,351 bidders from around the world and sold the garment for 5.4 Million Dhs ($1.148 million).
The blue organza dress with shoulder pads, drop waist, bow and ballet skirt — created by Moroccan-British designer Jacques Azagury in 1985 — is a true 1980s artifact.
Princess Diana initially wore the gown while on tour with her ex-husband, the then Prince of Wales, in Florence. In true sustainable fashion, the Princess then re-wore the dress a year later in 1986 at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in Canada.
Previously, the gown was part of the Kensington Palace Exhibition titled Diana: Her Fashion Story, which ran from 2017 to 2019, confirming the garment as an important piece of royal fashion history.
The Moroccan born designer attended the London College of Fashion, and Central Saint Martins Schools in London before creating his own label, where worked closely with The Princess while she was in the public eye and right until her death. Their close relationship manifests in a handful of gowns that the designer made for The Princess, including what he dubs as the Famous Five. This collection includes the powder blue dress that Princess Diana wore on one of her royal engagements as the Princess of Wales, as well as the sequinned black dress Diana wore to a charity gala on the night of her infamous Panorama interview with Martin Bashir in 1995.
The auction also included intimate thank-you letters from Princess Diana to Jacques Azagury; a Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn; and a pink Elizabeth and David Emanuel blouse also worn by the Princess which sold for 5 times its estimate at 1.4 Million Dhs ($381,000).
Interest in Diana as a cultural figure is magnified by the enduring legacy maintained by her sons, Prince William and Harry. The recent release of Season Six of The Crown this month further amplifies the fascination, providing an insightful portrayal of the five years preceding Diana’s tragic death.
Lead Image courtesy of Julien’s Auctions.