The event was a gala fashion show held at Garrard's, the crown jeweler, for one of her favorite (and often overlooked) patronages, Birthright, whose mission was to do significant amounts of fundraising to support research of the common problems of stillbirths, infant deaths and the complications of infertility. . The organization held many fundraising events and Diana usually attended. She wore this unusual black silk velvet and burgundy and black quilted silk gown in a general Tudor style (one of the newspapers referred to her 'Anne Boleyn' look), the large collar acting as a kind of ruff. In honor of the host company, Diana borrowed the amethyst and diamond cross and pearl necklace from Garrard's. It seems Diana didn't take to this gown, and never wore it publicly again. Some time later she had it altered to a strapless gown(below), presumably for wearing at private dinners with the royal family.

It was this restyled version that Diana auctioned for charity in 1997. It was was Lot 76, described as "a strapless balldress", and fetched $24,150.

The necklace, too, faces auction. According to news reports, it was owned by the CEO of Garrard's, who was the one who loaned it to Diana. After her death it was never publicly seen again, and after his death it passed to his son, who is auctioning it off at Sotheby's in January 2023.