Princess Diana's Evening Gown by Victor Edelstein

This gown was worn by Princess Diana in 1988 to a State Dinner at the Élysée Palace in France hosted by President Mitterrand. Victor Edelstein was Diana's most trusted couturier for diplomatic events — she wanted to look like a queen even though she was only a princess, and Victor delivered every single time. The deep midnight blue silk velvet of this piece was chosen specifically to complement the French tricolor, and the photographs from that evening are absolutely stunning. When Judy first laid eyes on this in the auction preview, she burst into tears. We both just stood there in silence for a long moment. Diana wore this gown at the height of her global fame, just a year after the famous Travolta dance at the White House. Every stitch of this dress carries that moment in history. The gown was acquired at Christie's London 1997 sale following the Princess's passing and has been in private hands ever since.