Morning session, lots 1-230, begins at 10am. The afternoon session, lots 231-440, will begin at 2pm.
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We have been busy behind the scenes preparing a jaw-dropping selection of spectacular fashion for you all. We have rare and important vintage couture straight from the pages of the history books, including an exceptional Elsa Schiaparelli daisy-embroidered jacket from Autumn-Winter 1937-38 (lot 267), a Madeleine Vionnet couture fringed crêpe evening gown, April 1938 (lot 269) and a dazzling Yves Saint Laurent couture bejewelled gold sequined dress, Autumn-Winter 1966 (lot 298). We offer more treasures from the renowned Sandy Schreier Collection including a rare and early Alix Barton/Madame Grès couture ivory jersey evening coat-dress (which was featured in Vogue), 1934 (lot 264), and a Christian Dior by Yves Saint Laurent couture 'Trapeze'-line day dress, Spring-Summer 1958 (lot 283).
For Thea Porter fans we have the collection of Margaret 'Bea' Larsson (lots 307-314). Bea was a close friend of Thea Porter and godmother to her niece. And for those who love Bill Gibb, we have the wardrobe of Trinidad and Tobago-born British actress Nina Baden-Semper (lots 323-327), who adored his designs.
We are honoured to include the collections of two notably elegant ladies: Victoria, Lady de Rothschild (lots 122 – 173) and Countess Maya von Schönburg-Glauchau (lots 174-203), who both graced the front rows of the Paris couture shows and featured in the elite British social season for decades. This auction provides tantalising glimpses into the wardrobes of these two beautiful women.
Always dear to our hearts is the work of the late, great Alexander McQueen. Lot 410 is the superb Givenchy haute couture by McQueen wildflower embroidered gown, Autumn-Winter 1999-2000. Lot 407 is the very rare and special Dai Rees for McQueen headpiece for 'La Poupée (The Doll)', Spring-Summer 1997. It was worn on the runway by Stella Tennant and Jade Parfitt. A unique piece of fashion history.
Our auction would not be complete without a selection of artifacts relating to our Royal Family, especially in this Jubilee year. Lot 280, a cotton dress by Horrockses, was produced to commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and is printed with repeats of ‘Elizabeth Regina, 1953’. Also featured in this sale are the stockings, shoes and chemise once worn by her great-grandmother, Queen Victoria (lots 214 and 215).
Unbelievably, lightning does appear to strike twice in the saleroom of KTA: also starring in this sale is an Issey Miyake breastplate, Autumn-Winter 1980 - identical to the one just sold in our last ‘Passion for Fashion’ auction (lot 337). So, if you missed out last time, you now have a rare second chance to acquire this piece of art!
Lot 245 - A black and silver beaded flapper dress, 1928-29
Sold for £380
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 246 - A fine beaded flapper dress, late 1920s
Sold for £850
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 247 - A fringed and beaded flapper dress, late 1920s
Sold for £400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 248 - A floral beaded flapper dress, late 1920s.
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 249 - A good beaded muslin flapper dress, late 1920s
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 250 - A good beaded flapper dress, late 1920s
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 251 - A good beaded flapper dress, late 1920s
Sold for £380
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 252 - A beaded black muslin evening coat, late 1920s
Sold for £700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 254 - A Cantonese embroidered piano shawl, Chinese, 1920s
Sold for £320
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 255 - A Cantonese embroidered piano shawl, Chinese, 1920s
Sold for £900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 256 - A Cantonese embroidered shawl, Chinese, 1920s
Sold for £130
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 258 - A beaded pale blue tulle evening gown, circa 1930
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 259 - A finely-beaded tulle evening gown, circa 1930
Sold for £380
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 260 - A beaded and sequined tulle evening gown, circa 1930
Sold for £420
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 263 - A floral printed velvet evening coat, 1930s
Sold for £460
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 264 - A rare and important Alix Barton/Madame Grès couture ivory jersey evening coat, 1934
Sold for £4,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 266 - A Jeanne Lanvin ivory chiffon-gauze and black lace evening gown, 1937-38
Sold for £2,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 268 - A Maison Worth ivory silk jersey evening gown, circa 1938
Sold for £1,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 270 - A Maggy Rouff couture ruffled tulle evening gown, late 1930s
Sold for £750
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 271 - Bound volumes of Harper’s Bazaar, American, 1915 to 1929, including complete runs
Sold for £2,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 272 - Bound volumes of Harper's Bazaar, American, 1930 to 1938, mainly complete runs
Sold for £1,900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 276 - A Madame Grès couture pleated black silk jersey evening gown, circa 1947
Sold for £2,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 278 - A Balenciaga black silk faille toque, circa 1952
Sold for £320
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 279 - A Balenciaga off-white silk chiffon hat, 1960s
Sold for £380
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 282 - A Givenchy haute couture chiné taffeta at home/evening gown, probably Spring-Summer, 1959
Sold for £4,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 285 - A Christian Dior New York navy twill-worsted suit, late 1950s
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 286 - A Balenciaga couture dove-grey tweed suit, probably Autumn-Winter, 1958
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 287 - A Balenciaga couture cocktail ensemble, Autumn-Winter 1961-62
Sold for £2,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 288 - A Balenciaga couture black Chantilly lace cocktail ensemble, Spring-Summer 1964
Sold for £2,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 289 - A Balenciaga couture polka-dot slubbed silk suit, Spring-Summer 1966
Sold for £500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
