John Travolta by himself is icon enough to turn heads. But Travolta and Princess Diana? A combustible combo.
Famed Christie's auction house in New York found out as much last night when it broke its record for highest bid ever on an article of clothing during its Princess Di hand-me-down gown-and-garment firesale--an actually rather swanky affair that hauled in $5.7 million in a mere two-and-a-half hours. (Nothing like the words "real-live princess clothes" to work shoppers into a checkbook frenzy.) Proceeds were earmarked for AIDS and cancer charities.
A blue velvet gown worn by Prince Charles' ex at a 1985 White House soiree--during which she boogied with Mr. Saturday Night Fever--was snatched up, via telephone, by an unnamed bidder for $225,500. That tops the $145,000 that Travolta's white suit from the classic 1977 disco movie brought in at a Christie's sale in 1995, according to the auction house.
The new owner of the Di/Travolta frock is described only as the female chief executive officer of a chain of boutiques in Florida. Said to be a "long-standing fan" of the British royal (natch!), the woman also purchased 14 other gowns. Christie's officials say she might reveal herself soon.
The so-called "Up Yours" dress, a form-fitting black silk crepe number, sold for $65,000. It was donned by Diana in 1994 at a British Red Cross reception--her first public appearance following Charles' admission that he and Frank Gifford had a lot in common. (The adultery thing, not Kathie Lee.)
In all, 79 items from Diana's closet were made available to the masses. And in the end, 79 were sold. Bids on the dresses alone brought in $3.2 million. Another $2.5 million was raised through the sale of auction catalogs.
Buyers ranged from the anonymous to the not-too-shy-to-admit-their-fascination-with-the-royals. "It's fun to have something that belongs to a princess," Fontaine Minor told the Post. That Richmond, Virginia, woman snatched up a white ball gown for a cool $22,000.
Diana maintained a tasteful distance from the frenzy, staying home in Britain. The do-gooding yard sale was said to be the brainchild of Diana's eldest son, Prince William, 15.