Thrifter Finds Princess Diana's Iconic 'Black Sheep' Sweater for $2

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A man browsing a thrift market in Cairo, Egypt, came across a red and white sweater that he initially thought was just a cute find. However, after doing some research, he realized the sweater was the same iconic 'Black Sheep' design worn by Princess Diana in 1981, shortly after she became engaged to Prince Charles. The sweater, which was designed by the British brand Warm & Wonderful, has since become a highly sought-after collector's item, with a version previously selling at auction for $1.1 million.

Why it matters

The 'Black Sheep' sweater worn by Princess Diana has become a symbol of her unique style and nonconformist attitude within the royal family. This chance discovery of the rare item at a Cairo thrift market highlights the continued fascination and value placed on Diana's fashion legacy, even decades after her passing.

The details

Abdelrahman Elnaenaei was browsing the racks at Wekalet El Balah, one of Cairo's largest second-hand markets, when he came across the red and white sweater. He was immediately drawn to the design, which features a pattern of white sheep with a single black sheep, and decided to purchase it for 100 Egyptian pounds (around $2). It wasn't until he got the sweater home and did some research that he realized its connection to Princess Diana. The label indicates the sweater was designed by Warm & Wonderful and dates back to 1979, suggesting it may be an original rather than a more recent re-release.

• Elnaenaei found the sweater while browsing the Wekalet El Balah thrift market in Cairo.
• Princess Diana wore the iconic 'Black Sheep' sweater in 1981, shortly after becoming engaged to Prince Charles.

What they’re saying

What’s next

Elnaenaei is considering whether to keep the rare sweater or potentially sell it, given its high value as a collector's item.