Ten dresses belonging to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, including a gown designed by Victor Edelstein which she famously wore while dancing with actor John Travolta, are to be auctioned in London later today.

They could make as much as $1m.

Mostly evening wear worn by Diana for official engagements between 1985 and 1997,the dresses are all made by British designers; long-term Diana favourite Catherine Walker has six dresses, and Bruce Oldfield and Zandra Rhodes also feature. The gowns were previously part of a private collection.

The collection shows the princess's evolution from Sloane Ranger to sleek sophisticate. "As a group, it's fascinating to see the change from ingénue to style icon," said Kerry Taylor. "You follow her life through clothes."