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We have saved the best until last. For our final auction of the year, we are delighted to present this superb array of spectacular fashion. One of the highlights without doubt is the Givenchy haute couture ball gown screen-worn by the incomparable Audrey Hepburn in the 1957 film ‘Love in the Afternoon’ (lot 79). The 20.5in waist is perfectly accentuated by a pretty, pale-blue bow and layer upon layer of white silk point d'esprit - it is truly a dress of dreams. And if Hollywood royalty isn’t quite your cup of tea, then you may be enticed by another film-worn costume in this sale: the ‘Roman’ tunic worn by Kenneth Williams for his leading role as Julius Caesar in ‘Carry On Cleo’, 1964, in which he utters those immortal words: ‘Infamy, Infamy- they’ve all got it in for me!’ (lot 103).
At the heart of this sale - as always - is haute couture and this does not disappoint. We are honoured to introduce yet more treasures from the legendary Sandy Schreier collection, including superb museum quality Balenciagas from the 1940s to 60s (lots 71, 73, 76 and 88), a fabulous sequined Paul Poiret evening gown, circa 1928, that looks as though it was made yesterday (lot 64) and a very early Alix Barton (Madame Grès) draped jersey gown, circa 1936 (lot 67), to name just a few.
Lot 218 is a Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel gold embroidered 'leopard' dress, Spring-Summer 1996. Smothered in gold sequins and embroidered with running leopard motifs formed from gold and black beads, at the time of commission, it was reputedly the most expensive couture gown in history - costing $200,000, the Lesage embroidery alone having taken 1280 hours. Also featured are fine examples from John Galliano’s tenure at Christian Dior, including a magnificent ensemble from his 'Madame Butterfly' collection, Spring-Summer 2007 (lot 246). And from Yves Saint Laurent’s time at the house, we have the coral silk-faille evening gown, model 'Rose de Feu', Spring-Summer 1959, once worn by leading Argentine model Kouka Denis, one of the top mannequins for the house of Dior during the late 1950s and 60s (lot 84).
Keeping with the theme of Galliano, we include sketches he drew as a young student for his ‘Incroyables’ degree show at St Martins in 1984 (lot 167) as well as rare early London labelled examples from the 1980s and show pieces from the early 90s (lots 168-173, 207-210).
For our 80s lovers, we have a fun-filled selection of eye-catching fashion from this heady decade: lot 176 is a rare Issey Miyake breastplate from his Autumn/Winter 1980-81 collection, still with its original ‘Miyake’ shop sticker to the underside. Lot 155A is the Judith Frankland hat worn by Steve Strange in David Bowie’s ground-breaking music video for his single ‘Ashes to Ashes’, 1980. Other ‘greatest hits’ from this decade include designs by Kenzo, Body Map and Vivienne Westwood, including a complete ‘Pirate’ ensemble from the Autumn-Winter 1981-82 collection (lot 156).
We continue to delight the boys with our selection of jaw-dropping menswear. From the earlier centuries we have a fine gentleman’s banyan, circa 1830 and constructed from reused 18th-century dress silk (lot 37). This piece is perfectly complimented by dandy fashions of the 60s such as lot 104, the Brent & Collins for Take 6 men's jacket and lot 105, the rare John Stephen of Carnaby Street men's William Morris print jacket, circa 1967 - both cut from floral upholstery fabric. From more recent decades we have eye-catching designs by John Richmond and Vivienne Westwood from the wardrobe of John Cowell.
It would not be Christmas without a few stocking fillers, and this sale is full to the brim with covetable gifts, including the finest examples of vintage costume jewellery by Dior, Chanel and Coppola e Toppo; luxury handbags, accessories by Westwood and wearable, joy-giving fashion by the likes of Biba, Thea Porter, Ossie Clark, and many more.
Wishing you all a merry festive season, and happy bidding!
Lot 1 - A Gianni Versace studded leather belt-bag, circa 1992
Sold for £380
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 3 - An Hermès black epsom leather Bolide bag, 1993
Sold for £750
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 6 - A Chanel fire-engine-red lambskin leather handbag, 1986-88
Sold for £1,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 7 - A Chanel quilted lambskin leather handbag, 1980s
Sold for £750
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 8 - A Chanel couture shocking-pink tweed suit, Spring-Summer 1966
Sold for £500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 9 - A Chanel by Lagerfeld military-inspired coat, 1990s
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 10 - A Chanel hessian-effect summer suit, 2000s
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 11 - A Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld couture sequined cocktail dress, Autumn-Winter 2007
Sold for £1,700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 12 - A fine Chanel two-strand 'pearl' sautoir, 1971-1981
Sold for £3,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 13 - A fine Chanel three-strand 'pearl' necklace with bejewelled gilt plaquette, 1971-1981
Sold for £4,600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 14 - A fine Chanel gilt chain necklace with large bejewelled crucifix pendant, 1971-1981
Sold for £6,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 15 - A Chanel baroque 'pearl' necklace with large bejewelled gilt crucifix pendant, 1985
Sold for £3,600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 16 - A fine Chanel gilt 'coin' charm bracelet, probably 1970s
Sold for £800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 19 - A Chanel sautoir of black and white 'pearls', 1981
Sold for £400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 20 - A Chanel gilt eight-pointed flower-head-shaped brooch, 1985
Sold for £460
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 21 - Butler and Wilson 'Day of the Dead' jewellery, circa 2016
Sold for £170
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 22 - A fine and rare Coppola e Toppo demi-parure, 1960s
Sold for £850
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 23 - A Coppola e Toppo beaded 'tie' necklace, 1960s
Sold for £260
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 24 - A Dior necklace of faceted 'ruby' rhinestones set in a gilt metal mount, 1962
Sold for £1,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 25 - A Dior necklace of cut brilliants and 'rubies', 1959
Sold for £1,100
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 26 - A fine and rare Dior parure of cut brilliants, 1969
Sold for £1,600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 27 - A Dior necklace of faceted clear and polished black 'stones', 1964
Sold for £850
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 28 - A Dior ink-blue mouton fur coat, modern
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 29 - An Yves Saint Laurent couture black velvet and sable coat, circa 1969
Sold for £1,100
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 30 - A sable coat by De Scale, probably 1980s
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 31 - A sable jacket by Revillon, late 1970s-early 1980s
Sold for £320
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 33 - A Pelta Furs Colobus monkey-fur coat, early 1940s
Sold for £480
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 34 - A rare boys' suit, French, late 18th century
Sold for £650
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 35 - Three men's embroidered silk waistcoats, late 18th-early 19th century
Sold for £850
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 36 - A gentleman's dark brown wool court livery, circa 1800
Sold for £800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 37 - A fine gentleman's silk banyan, circa 1830
Sold for £1,700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 39 - A gentleman's embroidered crimson velvet court coat, late 19th century
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 40 - A pair of gentleman's brown leather riding boots, early 20th century
Sold for £160
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 41 - A fine pair of moiré silk-covered stays, French, 1770-85
Sold for £5,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 43 - An embroidered muslin gown, English, circa 1805
Sold for £750
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 45 - An afternoon dress of cinnamon-brown ottoman silk-wool, 1865-70
Sold for £280
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 46 - A kashmir embroidered visite, probably French, circa 1885.
Sold for £440
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 48 - A rare Redfern lady's hunt coat, 1890s
Sold for £800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
