Greek fashion designer Christina Stambolian has revealed how she crafted Princess Diana's iconic black Revenge Dress in the coastal city of Volos, ahead of its public display in London and subsequent auction in New York.
Speaking to Marie Claire magazine, Stambolian explained that a significant portion of the famous garment was created in Greece during a holiday, long before it became one of the most recognizable dresses in modern fashion history.
The dress is set to be displayed in London from September 18 to 24 as part of London Fashion Week, before heading to Sotheby's auction house in New York on December 9, where experts estimate it will fetch between $150,000 and $300,000.
The Serpentine Gallery appearance
Princess Diana famously wore the off-the-shoulder black silk jacquard and chiffon dress on June 29, 1994, to attend a gala at the Serpentine Gallery in London.
Her public appearance occurred on the exact same evening that her former husband, then-Prince Charles, publicly admitted his marital infidelity during a televised broadcast.
The striking appearance made front-page headlines around the globe, transforming the black dress into an enduring symbol of self-confidence and independence.
Royal boutique encounter and hesitation
The history between the designer and Princess Diana began several years earlier when the two women met by chance at a London restaurant.
In 1991, the princess made an unannounced visit to Stambolian's boutique in London, where she personally selected the black silk jacquard and chiffon fabric for the dress.
Stambolian recalled that Diana initially hesitated to wear the design because she felt it was far more revealing than the clothes she had worn up until then.
As a result, the garment remained inside Diana's wardrobe for nearly three years until the night of the Serpentine Gallery event.
Crafting the gown in Volos
Stambolian revealed a previously unknown detail about the creation of the dress, explaining that a large part of the work was carried out in Volos, the coastal city in central Greece where she grew up.
The designer explained that she had traveled to Volos for a holiday and felt much freer while working there under the bright Greek sunlight.
She noted that because the gown was made of black material, strong natural light was essential to highlight the complex craftsmanship involved, adding that the peaceful environment gave her the time needed to finish the dress exactly as she wanted.
At the time she was working on it in Volos, Stambolian was creating a standard cocktail dress and had no idea that the piece would eventually gain worldwide fame or be worn on such a notable occasion.
Charity auctions and previous sales
In 1997, shortly before her death, Princess Diana included the dress in a charity auction of selected pieces from her personal wardrobe.
The garment was sold at that initial charity auction for $74,000, making the upcoming sale at Sotheby's in New York only the second time the dress will change hands through an auction.
Stambolian mentioned that she last saw the physical dress many years ago when she stayed overnight as a guest at the home of the buyer, with whom she was friends, and has only seen it in photographs, newspapers, and magazines since then.
Memories of Princess Diana
Reflecting on her conversations with Diana, Stambolian recalled laughing with the princess over Diana's concern that the dress might no longer fit her after sitting in her wardrobe for three years.
Stambolian observed that while the dress did fit, it was slightly tight on the night of the event, which remains visible in photographs from that evening.
The designer agreed that the fit was exactly as tight as necessary for the statement Diana wished to make that night.
Asked why the gown was never forgotten, Stambolian attributed its fame to Diana's immense popularity, describing her as a wonderful person with great humor and character who was widely loved across London and beyond.
Stambolian also revealed that earlier that morning, before getting out of bed, she had been reflecting on Princess Diana alongside Marilyn Monroe, noting how fascinating it is that certain figures achieve global fame and remain famous forever.
Return to London display
With the dress returning to London for its exhibition, Stambolian expressed deep emotion about seeing her creation up close for the first time in many years.
She confirmed her intention to visit the London presentation in person, noting how much time had passed and sharing how deeply saddened and shocked she had been by Diana's sudden and tragic loss at a young age.
