The Wardrobe of the Late Shirley Watts
Shirley and Charlie Watts first met as students at the Royal College of Art in 1964 - before the Rolling Stones shot to stardom. Shirley was an accomplished sculptress and produced numerous artworks throughout her lifetime usually inspired by the animals she loved - dogs and horses. Shirley spent most of her time on their country estate in Devon where she established a renowned Arabian stud. Perhaps unsurprisingly she collected equestrian themed fashion items, for example an early 19th century purse beaded with an Arab stallion and assorted handbags from the 1950s onwards woven or embroidered with horses.
Throughout her life Shirley showed a keen interest in fashion. She memorably turned up to Brian Jones funeral in 1969 dressed head to toe in white – hat, mini dress, tights, platform shoes. Her marriage to Charlie was initially kept a secret (even from the other band members) as the management felt it would be detrimental to the group press-wise. In the late 1960s and early 70s Shirley frequented the Biba store and other cool high street shops in both London and Paris, also wearing Emanuel Khan and Cacharel.
She kept very few garments from her younger days – but one piece – a pretty Cacharel floral printed dress - she was photographed wearing in 1971 in San Tropez, accompanied by Charlie and Ringo and Maureen Starr. Although Charlie was renowned for his sartorial style (usually immaculately turned out in Savile Row elegance)Shirley had a more relaxed, eclectic, bohemian approach to fashion. She was very independently minded and was never guided in her fashion choices by her husband.
Designer Basia Zarzycka knew Shirley Watts from the 1980s when she opened her first shop on the King’s Rd. She recalls, ‘Shirley was a lovely client and over the years we became friends. She could spend hours at a time inside my shop – carefully examining the hats, shoes, ribbons, flowers, and buttons. She had an incredible eye for detail and really enjoyed choosing the fabrics and trimmings . Amongst the many creations I made for Shirley are the two-18thcentury inspired fancy dress outfits she wore for Sir Mick Jagger’s 50th birthday party (where she also made costumes for Charlie and daughter Seraphina) and Sir Elton John’s 50th birthday party in the 1990s. Shirley loved the historically-influenced construction of the clothes. For the silver ensemble I remember she specified she wanted something very feminine, very boudoir which I think we achieved.’’
Shirley also collected a small group of antique garments ranging from bodices made from early 18th century silk brocades, an 1880s satin bridal gown and antique lingerie. These were acquired not to wear but to study and admire in terms of fabrics and fine detailing. Shirley loved hats. She owned dozens of them; a hat and sunglasses were something of a signature look for her. We include examples by Prada, Chanel and others, some of which she was photographed wearing when she attended Royal Ascot with Charlie. Shirley chose to wear a particularly pretty straw hat by Basia Zarzycka, covered in silk blossom to the christening of Georgia May Jagger in 1992.
Shirley and Charlie opted to live a quiet life in the countryside where she could focus on on her beloved Arabian horses. However, she still found time to nip to London or Paris for shopping trips to her favourite stores - Chanel, Loewe, Lanvin, Etro, Ralph Lauren, Celine, Loro Piana, Bottega Veneta, Prada, Balenciaga. Her wardrobe latterly could be best described as understated luxury. Comfort and practicality were important. One stand out piece is an exquisite Loewe cocktail dress designed by Narciso Rodriguez, A/W 1999-2000. The seemingly simple slip-style nude tulled dress is entirely entirely covered in a shimmer of approximately 10,000 carats of rough-cut drilled real peridot beads. It is the perfect example of understated elegance.
Lot 49 - A group of Chanel knitwear, 1990s-2000s
Sold for £260
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 50 - A pair of Chanel leather ballet flats, 1990s
Sold for £160
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 51 - A pair of brown Chanel ballet flats, 1990s
Sold for £240
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 52 - A pair of Chanel leather ballet flats, 1990s
Sold for £160
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 53 - A group of Chanel knitwear, 1990s-2000s
Sold for £360
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 54 - A group of black and navy blue Chanel separates, 1990s
Sold for £200
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 55 - A group of Chanel outerwear, 1990s-2000s
Sold for £280
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 57 - A fine beaded and sequined Hermès scarf/shawl, c.2010
Sold for £440
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 58 - A pair of black suede Hermès boots, 2010s
Sold for £320
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 61 - A pair of Hermès tan leather boots, 2010s
Sold for £240
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 62 - Three pairs of Hermès summer wedges, 2010s
Sold for £150
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 67 - An Hermès black leather jacket, 1990s
Sold for £550
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 68 - A group of Hermès outerwear and knitwear, 1990s
Sold for £420
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 69 - An Hermès hacking jacket and other equestrian garments
Sold for £700
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 71 - A group of Loro Piana knitwear and outerwear, 2010s
Sold for £850
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 72 - A group of Louis Vuitton bags and luggage, 2000s
Sold for £240
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 75 - Two Yves Saint Laurent bags, 2010s-2020s
Sold for £420
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 76 - An Yves Saint Laurent shearling Nolita Shoulder Bag, 2019
Sold for £440
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 77 - A Bottega Veneta limited edition gold intrecciato handbag, 2010s
Sold for £480
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 79 - A group of leather and suede gloves, 1980s
Sold for £160
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 84 - Three Etro sequin and fur capelets, 2010s
Sold for £320
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 90 - A group of interesting Etro handbags, 2010s
Sold for £300
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 91 - A group of Etro clothing, mainly outerwear, 2010s
Sold for £440
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 92 - A group of Etro blouses and outerwear, 2010s
Sold for £300
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
Lot 94 - A group of Etro summer clothing, 2000s
Sold for £260
Buyer's premium: 25% (exclusive of VAT)
