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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 97 - A Diorling forest-green velvet evening gown, late 1960s
Sold for £220
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 98 - A good Biba historically-inspired white cotton gown, 1966
Sold for £800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 99 - A rare Paco Rabanne couture evening gown, Spring-Summer 1969
Sold for £6,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 100 - A Courrèges pale-pink cotton matelassé playsuit, late 1960s
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 101 - A Pierre Cardin black lambskin leather tabard, circa 1969
Sold for £420
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 104 - A Brent & Collins for Take 6 men's floral jacket, 1960s
Sold for £380
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 108 - Two pairs of Vivienne Westwood men's slippers, 2000s
Sold for £320
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 109 - A group of Westwood and other men's footwear, 2000s
Sold for £170
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 110 - Two Pairs of Vivienne Westwood men's shoes, 2017-18
Sold for £200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 111 - A group of Vivienne Westwood accessories, 2000s
Sold for £200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 112 - A group of Vivienne Westwood accessories, 2000s
Sold for £220
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 113 - A Vivienne Westwood tartan overnight bag, 2000s.
Sold for £160
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 114 - A pair of Gucci men's cut velvet loafers, 2000s
Sold for £220
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 115 - A group of rare original Barbara Hulanicki sketches and patterns for Biba garments, 1970s
Sold for £700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 116 - A group of Biba clothing in mainly muted shades of brown, pink and blue, 1960s-70s
Sold for £1,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 117 - A good group of Biba in shades of apple-green and brown, 1960s-1970s
Sold for £420
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 118 - A group of Biba clothing in shades of purple and brown, 1960s-1970s
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 119 - A Biba pale lavender and white polka-dot cotton bikini, 1969
Sold for £260
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 120 - A Biba forest-green jersey medieval-inspired dress, circa 1970
Sold for £700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 121 - A Biba art-deco printed cotton jacket, circa 1970
Sold for £650
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 122 - A good Biba striped wool-jersey two-piece ensemble, early 1970s
Sold for £2,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 123 - A good Biba swing coat of chevron-weave herringbone tweed, circa 1974
Sold for £2,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 124 - A good Biba faux leopard plush swing jacket, 1973-75
Sold for £2,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 125 - A rare pair of Biba two-tone suede wedge-heeled shoes, 1970s
Sold for £200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 126 - A rare pair of Biba knee-high wedge-heeled boots, 1970s
Sold for £150
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 127 - Big Biba homewares, merchandise 1973-75
Sold for £100
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 128 - A Lee Bender at Bus Stop art-deco printed rayon dress, 1970s
Sold for £280
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 129 - An Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell printed chiffon dress, 1970s
Sold for £1,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 130 - An Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell printed moss-crêpe jacket/shirt, 1970s
Sold for £260
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 131 - Two Yuki draped jersey evening dresses, 1976
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 134 - A Thea Porter floral-printed cotton-gauze dress, 1971-72
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 135 - A Thea Porter chiffon abaya printed with calligraphic beasts, 1970s
Sold for £2,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 136 - A Thea Porter sequined jacket, 1970s
Sold for £340
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 137 - A Thea Porter black velvet 'Chazara' jacket, 1975
Sold for £850
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 138 - A Thea Porter abaya/kaftan of magenta floral-printed chiffon, 1970s
Sold for £1,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 139 - A Thea Porter printed chiffon evening gown, 1970s
Sold for £2,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 140 - A Thea Porter 'Kimono' ensemble, 1976
Sold for £1,900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 141 - A Pierre Cardin jersey dinner dress, circa 1970
Sold for £650
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 142 - A Pierre Cardin cutwork maxi skirt, circa 1970
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 143 - A Courrèges yellow and white wool dress, early 1970s
Sold for £280
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 144 - An Yves Saint Laurent 'Peasant' ensemble, circa 1973
Sold for £500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
