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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 49 - A Stern Brothers ivory wool coat, 1910s
Sold for £480
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 51 - de Basil Ballets Russes Costume for the 'Bluebird', after Bakst's design, 1940s
Sold for £1,300
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 52 - Diaghilev's Ballets Russes ivory satin breeches for 'The Sleeping Princess', 1920s
Sold for £650
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 55 - A good Mariano Fortuny pale sea-green pleated silk Delphos gown, 1920-30
Sold for £6,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 56 - A good lamé opera coat in shades of silver and sea-green, 1930s
Sold for £1,100
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 57 - A Mariano Fortuny pale-aqua pleated silk Delphos gown, 1920-30
Sold for £2,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 58 - A Mariano Fortuny pale-gold pleated silk Delphos gown, 1920-30
Sold for £900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 59 - A Mariano Fortuny stencilled silk dress, 1920s-30s
Sold for £480
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 60 - A Callot Soeurs tangerine tulle flapper dress, circa 1925
Sold for £900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 61 - A beaded black chiffon flapper dress, circa 1926
Sold for £190
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 62 - A Jean Patou couture embroidered velvet cocktail dress, 1925-26
Sold for £2,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 63 - A flapper dress of pale sea-blue crêpe chiffon, circa 1929
Sold for £800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 64 - A fine and rare Paul Poiret purple sequined evening dress, 1928
Sold for £6,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 65 - An ivory silk summer coat made from a Central Asian embroidered suzani, circa 1928
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 66 - A fine pair of Albertin gold leather evening shoes, circa 1928
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 67 - A rare and early Alix / Madame Grès couture draped silk jersey evening gown, circa 1936
Sold for £5,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 68 - A Mainbocher couture ivory satin court presentation gown, early 1930s
Sold for £1,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 69 - A Lucien Lelong couture blue mesh crinoline dress, circa 1938
Sold for £2,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 70 - A Steins of New York teal cut-velvet and lamé opera coat, 1930s
Sold for £950
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 72 - A black wool coat dress, Dior, made under licence, American, circa 1947
Sold for £3,600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 73 - A fine Balenciaga couture black faille evening coat, Spring-Summer, 1947
Sold for £3,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 74 - A Jeanne Lanvin couture dinner ensemble, Autumn-Winter 1947-48
Sold for £2,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 75 - A Balenciaga couture black wool dinner dress, Spring-Summer 1950
Sold for £900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 76 - A fine Balenciaga couture polka-dot satin dinner dress, Model 103, Autumn-Winter 1953
Sold for £6,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 77 - A Pierre Balmain couture dance dress, mid-1950s
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 78 - A Jacques Fath zebra-stripe printed chiffon cocktail dress, mid 1950s
Sold for £650
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 80 - An Emilio Schuberth couture black satin evening gown, mid 1950s
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 81 - A Christian Dior New York black paper taffeta dinner dress, 1951
Sold for £3,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 83 - A Christian Dior by Yves Saint Laurent couture black wool tent coat, 1958-60
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 85 - A Christian Dior velvet hat, late 1950s-early 1960s
Sold for £280
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 86 - A Sybil Connolly pleated linen gown, 'Christmas Holiday', circa 1960
Sold for £320
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 87 - An American licensed copy of a Balenciaga black wool coat, circa 1960
Sold for £170
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 88 - A Balenciaga couture jade-green tweed suit, Autumn-Winter 1963-64
Sold for £500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 89 - A Felisa Irigoyen couture embellished cocktail dress, 1968-69
Sold for £1,600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 90 - A Felisa-Jose Luis couture embellished silk-crêpe cocktail dress, late 1960s
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 93 - A pair of Aldo Sacchetti 'Invisible' shoes, circa 1965
Sold for £420
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 94 - A pair of Dior silver lurex shoes, circa 1966
Sold for £800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 95 - A rare and early Ossie Clark printed cotton dress, 1965
Sold for £900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 96 - A Pierre Balmain shocking-pink faille evening gown, mid 1960s
Sold for £400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
