Sotheby's to Auction Princess Diana's Original Sheep Sweater

When most people rummage through their attic, they stumble upon forgotten photographs or an old stuffed animal from childhood. When Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne, co-founders of Warm & Wonderful, went through their attic earlier this year, they came across Princess Diana's iconic black sheep sweater.

Now, the sweater will find solace in the comfort of a new home — but hopefully not an attic — as it is set to be auctioned in Sotheby's inaugural Fashion Icons sale this September.

"This past March, as we were rummaging through the attic searching for an old pattern, we spotted a small box. Inside, tucked away beside a cotton bedspread was Diana’s original red sheep sweater from 1981. Now, almost four decades later, this one-of-a-kind sheep sweater is ready to make its way into the hands of a fortunate collector," said Muir and Osborne in a statement.

The Princess of Wales first wore the design in June 1981, in attendance at one Prince (now King) Charles's summer polo matches. It was one of the first pieces designed by Muir and Osborne and became as close as you can get to viral from that time once the look was immortalized on the front page of the Sunday newspaper.

The story takes a twist when a note was sent from the Buckingham Palace requesting a new sweater, as Princess Diana damaged the one she had. The "People's Princess" would go on to wear the replicated design in 1983 at another polo match, further establishing the sweater's legacy.

The black sheep style sweater would be discontinued in 1994, then revived more than two decades later in 2020 in collaboration with American designer Jack Carlson and his brand Rowing Blazers. A replica of the sweater would also have an appearance in Season 4 of The Crown, worn by Emma Corrin.

"From her early years as a shy and reserved royal to her later years as a confident and
independent woman, Princess Diana's fashion choices broke the mold by reflecting the changing
social climate and embracing evolving perceptions of femininity," Cynthia Houlton, Sotheby's global head of fashion and accessories, said in a statement. "This exceptional garment, meticulously preserved, carries the whispers of Princess Diana’s grace, charm, and her keen eye
for fashion. It's an honor to offer this historic sweater in our inaugural Fashion Icons auction,
placing it in dialogue with other memorable and culturally important items of clothing."