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 293 - A Christian Dior couture by Marc Bohan debutante gown, 1964
Sold for £9,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 295 - A Dior pale pink silk faille hat, 1960s
Sold for £340
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 297 - An Emilio Pucci printed silk two-piece ensemble, Spring-Summer 1964
Sold for £400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 299 - An Yves Saint Laurent couture metallic brocade evening coat, Spring-Summer 1969
Sold for £2,600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 300 - An early Courrèges couture embroidered ivory tulle minidress, 1964
Sold for £2,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 301 - A Courrèges lemon-yellow wool double-breasted coat, circa 1967
Sold for £850
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 302 - A Courrèges pink and white checked mini-dress, 1968
Sold for £460
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 303 - A Pierre Cardin futuristic evening dress, 1969-70
Sold for £2,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 304 - A Pierre Cardin choker necklace, 1969
Sold for £700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 306 - A hand-painted men's linen 'Flower Power' suit, 1967
Sold for £5,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 307 - A jacket formed from a Paisley-style silk-wool shawl, 19th century but made up in 1960s
Sold for £340
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 308 - A rare Thea Porter evening coat of 'Chasse Persane' brocade, late 1960s-1970s
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 309 - A Thea Porter waistcoat of Persian brocade, the fabric 1960s-70s and made up in the 1980s
Sold for £240
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 310 - A Thea Porter dress in marbled-print chiffon, 1970s
Sold for £1,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 311 - A Thea Porter printed chiffon dress with central brocaded panel, 1970s
Sold for £2,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 312 - A Thea Porter marigold-orange damask silk abaya, 1970s
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 313 - A Thea Porter gold sequined and beaded black chiffon dress, circa 1974
Sold for £750
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 314 - A Thea Porter purple chiffon abaya, 1970s
Sold for £950
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 315 - A Thea Porter couture printed chiffon abaya, 1970s
Sold for £1,700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 316 - A Thea Porter 'Samawa' printed chiffon dress, 1972
Sold for £3,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 317 - A Thea Porter black chiffon abaya, circa 1971
Sold for £1,100
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 318 - A fine and rare Zandra Rhodes printed circular cape, 1970
Sold for £3,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 319 - Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld printed crêpe de Chine dress, 1979
Sold for £2,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 321 - A Marc Bohan for Christian Dior chinoiserie lamé jacket, probably Autumn-Winter 1975-76
Sold for £5,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 322 - A fine Bill Gibb embroidered maxi dress, Autumn-Winter 1972
Sold for £1,700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 323 - Nina Baden-Semper's rare Bill Gibb printed leather jacket, circa 1972
Sold for £900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 324 - Nina Baden-Semper's Bill Gibb cream Quiana jersey evening dress, Spring-Summer 1973
Sold for £1,100
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 325 - Nina Baden-Semper's Bill Gibb dusky-apricot crêpe ensemble, circa 1975
Sold for £460
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 326 - Nina Baden-Semper's Bill Gibb two-piece ensemble, 1970s
Sold for £700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 327 - Nina Baden-Semper's brown jersey dress with zig-zagged sequined halterneck bodice, 1970s
Sold for £150
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 328 - A Bill Gibb embroidered ivory wool three-piece ensemble, circa 1974
Sold for £950
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 329 - A rare Kansai Yamamoto knitted wool dress, early 1970s
Sold for £5,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 330 - A rare Biba tomato-printed brushed cotton ensemble, 1970s
Sold for £280
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 331 - An Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell 'Bridget' dress, early 1970s
Sold for £1,700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 332 - An Ossie Clark/Celia Birtwell for Radley floral printed chiffon dress, mid-1970s
Sold for £340
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 333 - A Granny Takes a Trip royal-blue velvet suit, circa 1970
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 334 - A Westwood/McLaren 'Destroy' T-shirt, circa 1976
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 335 - A group of menswear belonging to the late Martin Crowley, circa 1990
Sold for £600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 336 - A rare Antony Price men's futuristic quilted suit, 1981-83
Sold for £15,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 337 - ǂ A rare Issey Miyake moulded acrylic breastplate/bustier, Autumn-Winter 1980-81
Sold for £20,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 338 - A good Issey Miyake knitted wool cocoon-shaped coat, Autumn-Winter 1983-84
Sold for £900
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 339 - An Issey Miyake fringed coat and hat, Autumn-Winter, 1985-86
Sold for £3,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 340 - An Issey Miyake knitted black wool dress, Autumn-Winter 1989-90
Sold for £500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
