Lot 58 – Navy Nautical Gown

This gown was a Diana unknown until the auction, as it was worn for private functions and it’s been impossible to find photos of her wearing it.  It was purchased by the same collector who bought fourteen gowns and became part of the display at Kensington Palace, so was viewed by many of Diana’s fan. It’s another Catherine Walker that raised $23,000 and has inspired many copies.

The gown is a simple one long-sleeved column in navy silk crepe which is trimmed on the single cuff and neckline with nautical gold braid.  It’s a body-skimming design and cut, as  typical Catherine Walker should be, but it doesn’t have any particular spectacular features and probably wouldn’t have been considered special if Diana hadn’t owned it.  That said, it’s a firm favourite with the Diana replica makers, as the pattern is relative simple, the materials are fairly easy to obtain and it’s an auction gown, so there is a core group of collectors who will be looking for it.  It’s a bit too plain for a tiara and the braid makes jewelry other than earrings pretty redundant.