We are thrilled to announce our next auction here in London: the ARCH COUTURE archive, consisting of 250 lots of 20th and 21st-century haute couture and ready-to-wear. We have a wide selection of iconic designers and brands from the last 75 years, including Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, Schiaparelli, Alexander McQueen, Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Margiela, Mugler, and many more!
One of the most exciting lots in this jewelbox of an auction is lot 89, a wonderful Schiaparelli haute couture jacket by Daniel Roseberry. This fabulous piece exemplifies Roseberry’s interpretation of Elsa Schiaparelli’s surrealist design sensibilities, with a beaded ‘measuring tape’ front opening and intricate, sculptural gold embellishments.
Chanel is synonymous with modern luxury. This auction features 88 lots of the brand, mainly dating from Karl Lagerfeld’s tenure as creative director. Lots include jackets, suits, dresses, and handbags, including a rare 2017 minaudière shaped like a jewelled robot, and a matching pink fantasy tweed jacket and handbag from the iconic 2014 ‘Supermarket’ collection.
There is a small but impressive collection of Alexander McQueen, including three dresses that any fan of the designer will immediately recognise. The first is an embellished gown from Autumn-Winter 2007-08, covered in a shimmer of cascading bronze beads designed as tumbling tresses of hair. We also have two fabulously embellished dresses from McQueen’s ‘Plato’s Atlantis’ collection, one in blue and one in green.
Another highlight is Roberto Cavalli’s iconic ‘Ming Vase’ printed gown from his Autumn-Winter 2005-06 collection. A similar Cavalli gown was included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Exhibition, ‘China: Through the Looking Glass’, in 2015.
The auction also features a wide and varied selection of designer handbags, with almost thirty to choose from. Among the selection are two contemporary Christian Dior ‘Lady Dior Art’ bags, one covered in mirrors designed by South Korean artist Lee Bul, and the other tied with bondage-style ropes designed by French artist Morgane Tschiember.
Speaking of Christian Dior, the last (but certainly not least!) lot in the auction is the spectacular Christian Dior by Yves Saint Laurent black taffeta ‘Labia’ gown from Autumn-Winter 1959-60. The gown is complete with an elegant Chantilly lace-trimmed stole.
We look forward to seeing you all at our next viewing day, and as always, make sure to send your condition report requests in ASAP!
Lot 97 - A Gucci by Alessandro Michele red wool and mink coat, circa 2016
Sold for £390
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 98 - A Gucci pink and orange resin brooch, 2010s
Sold for £156
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 99 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini green leopard-spot velvet dress, Autumn-Winter 2012-13
Sold for £364
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 100 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini plum silk damask jacket and blouse, Autumn-Winter 2012-13
Sold for £1,105
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 101 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini embellished flapper-style dress, Resort 2011
Sold for £780
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 102 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini brown leather mini dress, Resort 2011
Sold for £130
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 103 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini black corset-detail dress, Spring-Summer 2011
Sold for £910
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 104 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini black silk-blend satin slip dress, 2008
Sold for £364
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 105 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini black suede 'Britt' shoulder bag, Autumn-Winter 2006-07
Sold for £208
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 106 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini mini printed satin pochette, Spring-Summer 2006
Sold for £2,210
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 107 - A Gucci by Frida Giannini olive green satin dress, 2006
Sold for £104
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 108 - A group of Gucci by Frida Giannini separates, 2000s-2010s
Sold for £260
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 109 - A Gucci by Tom Ford black silk cocktail dress, 2004
Sold for £1,040
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 111 - A Gucci by Tom Ford croc-embossed patent leather shoulder bag, circa 2000
Sold for £780
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 112 - A Gucci by Tom Ford knitted mini dress, circa 2000
Sold for £1,040
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 113 - A Gucci canvas and leather 'Bardot' large shopper bag, 1990s
Sold for £416
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 114 - A Tom Ford pink feather bustier, 2010s
Sold for £910
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 115 - A Lanvin by Bruno Sialelli coral beaded lace dress, Autumn-Winter 2022-23
Sold for £624
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 118 - A Lanvin champagne satin evening gown, 2000s
Sold for £494
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 119 - A Prada printed pink leather-effect cotton shift dress, Autumn-Winter 2017-18
Sold for £715
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 120 - A Prada black viscose cocktail dress, Autumn-Winter 2015-16
Sold for £130
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 123 - CITES A Prada brown nylon and lizard-skin handbag, 2000s
Sold for £338
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 128 - An Alexander McQueen black jersey evening gown, commercial collection, 2010
Sold for £715
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 129 - A group of Givenchy by Alexander McQueen separates, late 1990s
Sold for £1,820
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 130 - An Alexander McQueen polka dot printed faille dress, circa 2010
Sold for £130
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 135 - A Dolce & Gabbana silvertone metal corset belt, Autumn-Winter 2007-08
Sold for £4,160
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 136 - A Dolce & Gabbana champagne silk cocktail dress, Autumn-Winter 2007-08
Sold for £312
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 137 - A Dolce & Gabbana sequined mini dress, circa 2005
Sold for £910
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 138 - Dolce & Gabbana gunmetal grey sequined cocktail dress, Autumn-Winter 2011
Sold for £312
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 139 - A Donatella Versace nude lycra and black sequin evening gown, circa 2017
Sold for £910
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 140 - A Donatella Versace black stretch-velvet and tulle cocktail dress, 2010s
Sold for £221
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 144 - A Gianni Versace black satin and lurex evening gown, Autumn-Winter 1997-98
Sold for £442
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 145 - A Gianni Versace black crêpe evening gown, Spring-Summer 1994
Sold for £624
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 146 - A group of Gianni Versace separates, circa 1990
Sold for £286
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 147 - A Roberto Cavalli printed blue and white satin 'Ming Vase' sheath, Autumn-Winter 2005-06
Sold for £11,700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 148 - A Roberto Cavalli by Peter Dundas printed blue and white jersey dress, Resort 2017
Sold for £234
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 149 - Three Roberto Cavalli dresses, 2010s
Sold for £364
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 150 - A group of Roberto Cavalli dresses, 2000-2010s
Sold for £156
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 151 - Two Roberto Cavalli dresses, 2000s
Sold for £1,105
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 152 - Two Giorgio Armani blue and white evening dresses, 2000s
Sold for £546
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 153 - A Giorgio Armani pale green zibeline sheath, Spring-Summer 2012
Sold for £390
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 154 - A Valentino Garavani black crêpe evening gown, Spring-Summer 2008
Sold for £1,235
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 155 - A Valentino Garavani brown suede hobo bag early 2000s
Sold for £156
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 156 - A Valentino Garavani chartreuse satin cocktail dress with beads, Spring-Summer 2006
Sold for £3,380
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 157 - A Valentino Garavani haute couture embellished lace evening gown, 1990s
Sold for £1,235
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 158 - A Valentino Garavani haute couture black silk crêpe evening gown, circa 1986
Sold for £910
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 159 - A Zac Posen black crêpe and ivory chiffon evening dress, pre-fall 2010
Sold for £1,950
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 160 - A Ralph & Russo haute couture back velvet and pink silk sheath Autumn-Winter 2018-19
Sold for £1,430
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 161 - A Zuhair Murad haute couture blue chiffon evening gown, Spring-Summer 2011
Sold for £624
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 162 - A group of designer evening separates, 2000s-2010s
Sold for £598
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 163 - A Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs organza broderie anglaise ensemble, Spring-Summer 2012
Sold for £182
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 166 - A Pierre Balmain by Christophe Decarnin 'serpent' cocktail dress, Autumn-Winter 2008-09
Sold for £338
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 170 - A Balenciaga haute couture brown gazar evening gown, early 1960s
Sold for £2,990
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 171 - A Givenchy haute couture by Julien McDonald red satin jacket, Autumn-Winter 2002-03
Sold for £2,860
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 172 - An Hubert de Givenchy haute couture yellow silk crêpe sheath and stole, Spring-Summer 1990
Sold for £3,900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 173 - Two Hubert de Givenchy wool dresses, 1980s
Sold for £130
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 174 - An Hubert de Givenchy haute couture black velvet cocktail dress, circa 1987
Sold for £390
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 175 - Two Hubert de Givenchy haute couture dresses, 1980s
Sold for £130
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 176 - An Hubert de Givenchy haute couture black gazar cocktail dress, circa 1985
Sold for £520
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 180 - An Emmanuel Ungaro haute couture red shot taffeta sheath, Spring-Summer 1992
Sold for £1,300
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 181 - A pair of Dal Co' black velvet slingback pumps, circa 1980
Sold for £50
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 182 - A Nina Ricci haute couture by Gérard Pipart floral satin ballgown, Autumn-Winter 1992-93
Sold for £1,430
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 191 - A Thierry Mugler black crêpe dress with white satin collar, circa 1997
Sold for £650
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
