Timeless wardrobe
> 140 iconic little black dresses to be auctioned at Sotheby's this Autumn
FOLLOWING a first auction in 2015, fans of the timeless wardrobe stable will get another stab at bidding for a host of noteworthy creations – including 20 designs by Dior – that are part of French fashion antiquarian Didier Ludot's private collection. The sale is set for Oct 3, in association with Kerry Taylor Auctions, reports AFP Relaxnews. The exclusive auction will offer variations on the “LBD” from the Roaring Twenties to the new millennium. Lovingly collected, these vintage pieces – whose estimates range between 800 euros and 5,000 euros – were created by the greatest of couturiers, from Chanel to Jean Patou to Marc Vaughan. Some of the dresses by Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Balmain or Yohji Yamamoto, have previously been loaned to the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Standout items to go under the hammer include a classic little black dress by Lanvin from 1938, featuring simple contrast piping at the neckline, a fun Chanel ruffle-trimmed chiffon shift dress from 1960 with satin waistband and a classic Givenchy LBD dress with open back from 1998 by the late, great British designer Alexander McQueen. Also not to be missed is Lucien Lelong's demure LBD (pix) from 1947, a testimony to his draping expertise and a chic silk faille cocktail dress, featuring oversize lapel by Dior from 1950. Alex Chai of heart, it is seriously fun and can be mastered without leaving you looking like a member of Aerosmith.
The trick here is to focus on one piece at a time and if making a style statement isn’t your thing, the print can also be used as a means to experiment with subtle detailing by utilising it in an accent role.
From a revamped pair of classic sneakers, to a boxy short sleeve shirt or a rebellious jacket trimmed with the punk-inspired print, leopard promises to instantly inject a sense of life and personality into your look. – The Independent