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 341 - An Issey Miyake faux fur and padded nylon ensemble, Autumn-Winter 1982-83
Sold for £950
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 342 - An Issey Miyake cotton ensemble in shades of blue-black and grey, circa 1985
Sold for £400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 343 - An Issey Miyake ikat-style woven cotton jacket, circa 1985
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 344 - An Issey Miyake textured wool jacket in shades of blue-grey and black, circa 1983
Sold for £500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 347 - A Roberto Capucci couture flamenco-inspired evening ensemble, mid-1980s
Sold for £500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 348 - A Thierry Mugler red satin evening gown, 'Hiver Russe' collection, Autumn-Winter 1986-87
Sold for £1,300
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 350 - A Thierry Mugler gem-encrusted suit, 'Buick' collection, Autumn-Winter 1989-90
Sold for £2,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 351 - A Christian Dior couture by Marc Bohan evening ensemble, Autumn-Winter, 1984
Sold for £11,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 352 - An Antony Price black velvet evening gown, 1988
Sold for £1,300
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 353 - An Yves Saint Laurent couture black satin evening gown, 1982
Sold for £400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 354 - An Yves Saint Laurent couture marocain crêpe evening gown, probably Autumn-Winter 1983-84
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 356 - Three Yves Saint Laurent couture printed silk ensembles, 1980s
Sold for £1,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 362 - A rare Vivienne Westwood outsized trench coat, 'Hypnos' collection, Spring-Summer 1984
Sold for £3,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 363 - Two rare sets of Satyr horns, 'Britain Must Go Pagan' collection, Spring-Summer 1988
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 369 - John Galliano's Saint Martins 'Childrenswear' project folder, Volume 1, circa 1983
Sold for £3,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 370 - John Galliano's Saint Martins 'Childrenswear' project folder, Volume 2, circa 1983
Sold for £2,600
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 371 - John Galliano preparatory sketch for his 'Incroyables' degree show collection, 1984
Sold for £6,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 374 - A John Galliano parachute silk shirt with 'circle'-cut sleeves, Spring-Summer 1986
Sold for £1,400
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 375 - A rare John Galliano tartan cotton dress, 'The Rose' collection, Autumn-Winter 1987-88
Sold for £2,500
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 376 - A rare John Galliano showpiece padded waistcoat, 'Honcho Woman', Spring-Summer 1991
Sold for £1,200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 377 - A John Galliano 'Honcho Woman' 'anatomical' jacket, Spring-Summer 1991
Sold for £4,800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 378 - A Galliano snakeskin jacket, 'Honcho Woman' collection, Spring-Summer 1991
Sold for £800
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 381 - A Jean Paul Gaultier catsuit, 'French Can Can' collection, Autumn-Winter 1991-92
Sold for £460
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 382 - A Jean Paul Gaultier 'Mad Max' hooded body suit, Autumn-Winter 1995-96
Sold for £5,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 383 - A Jean Paul Gaultier Kabuki-inspired ensemble, Spring-Summer 1999 collection
Sold for £1,000
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 384 - A Thierry Mugler turquoise silk crêpe evening gown, circa 1995
Sold for £950
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 385 - A Thierry Mugler leopard-print silk dress, 1996
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
