Fashion enthusiasts often find themselves drawn to the allure of collecting, but for some, that passion can lead to significant financial commitments. Such is the case with Renae Plant, who went to extraordinary lengths to acquire pieces from the wardrobe of Princess Diana, including mortgaging her home to obtain an iconic dress.
Plant’s fascination with Princess Diana began in her youth, intertwined with personal memories. “I met Princess Diana twice: in Yandina on the Sunshine Coast in 1983, when I was 12, and in Sydney in 1988,” she recalled. “I can’t explain how it felt when she looked me straight in the eyes.” This early admiration transformed into a collection that now boasts over 100 pieces of Diana’s clothing and nearly 3,000 items overall, including personal accessories.
The turning point in Plant’s journey came after Diana’s tragic passing in 1997. Living in New York at the time, she attended an auction at Christie’s, not intending to buy but simply to witness the event. In 2014, while contemplating a restaurant investment with her husband, Plant made a pivotal decision to redirect their funds. She purchased a burgundy wool coat-dress famously worn by Diana while carrying Prince William. Shortly thereafter, she acquired the renowned ice-blue Versace dress, famously worn in 1991, after outbidding even Kensington Palace.
Plant’s collection has since evolved into a virtual museum, with plans for a travelling exhibition set to launch in late 2026. One of her most poignant pieces is a dress designed by Jacques Azagury that Diana never wore, still featuring the pins from its last fitting.
In June of this year, Plant seized the opportunity to bid on the dress Diana wore during their second encounter, the so-called “caring dress.” “I never thought it would come up for auction; I thought it was just gone, part of history,” she shared, reflecting on the emotional moment when the auction ended with a winning bid of $520,000.
Plant is not alone in her passion for collecting. Sai-Wai Foo, a 50-year-old collector, has amassed around 100 pieces from Australian designer Toni Maticevski. Their friendship dates back to their time as students at RMIT in the 1990s. “I have not got rid of anything,” Foo said, emphasizing the sentimental value attached to each piece.
Her collection includes unique items, such as a ruffled coral bolero that appeared on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar. For Foo, each piece represents not only fashion but also the connection she shares with Maticevski. “I wouldn’t want to break it up,” she noted, highlighting her intention to donate her collection to an institution as a cohesive narrative.
Valeria Zlatnik, 31, has also carved out a niche in the fashion collecting world. After abandoning a corporate marketing career, she embraced her love for fashion by creating a business called Prémode. With a particular focus on Tom Ford’s era at Gucci, Zlatnik’s collection consists of 50 to 100 pieces, including a rare suit ordered by Gucci’s archivists. “It was a pinch-me moment,” she recalled, reflecting on the moment she sold a rare jacket and trouser set back to the brand.
Zlatnik’s most valuable piece is a 1998 “G-string skirt” in pink, which she considers priceless. “But you know what? Someone might put the same one on eBay, not realizing the value, and sell it for $200,” she added, underscoring the unpredictability of fashion valuation in the resale market.
These collectors exemplify the deep emotional connections and stories woven into the fabric of fashion. For them, collecting is not merely about possession but about preserving history and personal narratives that resonate across generations.
