The emerald green gown Keira Knightley wore in the 2007 film “Atonement” is going up for auction at Christie’s on December 9, with the house estimating it could sell for between $130,000 and $160,000. Until then, New Yorkers can view the dress for free at Christie’s Rockefeller Center location through November 17.
The gown last sold at auction in 2008 for $35,000, which translates to roughly $55,000 today when adjusted for inflation. Its projected sale price this time around marks a significant jump in value for the garment, which appears in one of the film’s central romantic scenes between Knightley’s character and James McAvoy’s.
The dress was designed by Jacqueline Durran, who has since won Academy Awards for her costume work on “Little Women” and “Barbie.” The gown features an open back, a gathered waist with a draped center, and a flowing skirt that author Ian McEwan, who wrote the novel “Atonement” is based on, described as evoking a “mermaid” silhouette.
Thais Hitchins, head of sale at Christie’s London, said the dress’s lasting appeal comes down to both its construction and what it represents on screen.
“The dress remains so iconic in part because of the design,” Hitchins said. “The bias cut and drop back add a modern sensibility to the classic design, resulting in its timeless quality. Equally, this dress is so beloved because it does what so few garments can… It captures those enduring qualities of desire and lust which retain an eternal appeal.”
The gown’s influence has shown up repeatedly on red carpets and runways. Alexa Chung wore a custom gown referencing the design by Nensi Dojaka in 2024, and designer Tory Burch echoed it at Vogue World in 2025. Victoria Beckham and Chanel have also drawn on the slip-style silhouette in recent collections. Burch currently sells a similar green slip dress for about $600.
At Christie’s Rockefeller Center space, the gown sits just a few feet from a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting, a series of Andy Warhol screenprints, and a Monet valued between $12 million and $18 million — all viewable by the public at no cost before the dress goes up for sale.
For shoppers who want the look without the auction price tag, several retailers near Rockefeller Center and online offer similar green dresses at far lower prices, including options from Aritzia for under $200, Free People for $270, and Quince for $80.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login