The auction, to be held in Bermondsey, London, on Monday, November 20, includes a collection of 17th and 18th century dresses cleared from the attic in Sizergh Castle in Cumbria, home to the Strickland family since 1239, plus early stage costumes from the ballet and opera as well as more modern ensembles worn by Princess Diana, Dame Shirley Bassey and even a nightshirt worn by Sir Winston Churchill.
Winston Churchill’s silk nightshirt, 1932, a gift from Clementine to life-long friend Mary Williams whose husband, the Rev Cuthbert Melville Williams, was Churchill’s vicar. Estimate £600-1000
With leading designers such as Hermès, Chanel, Cartier, Dior, Givenchy, Galliano, Westwood and Versace all represented, the fashion and textile auction will kick-off at 10.30am with luxury accessories, vintage furs, handbags and early luggage by Vuitton.
