Daphne’s clothes go on sale
GUINNESS HEIRESS RAISES £476,800 WITH THE AUCTION OF OVER 102 OF HER FROCKS AND ACCESSORIES FOR CHARITY
British fashion icon and muse Daphne Guinness raised £476,800 with the auction of over 102 haute couture pieces and accessories at Christie’s in London on Wednesday evening. The collection had been expected to fetch over £100,000.
She sold her collection to aid the Isabella Blow Foundation, which promotes British fashion and raises money for those suffering from mental health issues.
Famous stylist Isabella Blow, who committed suicide in 2007, was a close friend of the 44year-old heiress and fashionista famous for her eccentric style of dressing. Guinness set up the foundation in memory of her friend.
“The sale was the only practical way for me to say thank you to my friend, who I carry in my soul,” Daphne said at the presale preview at Christie’s on Tuesday. “Issie will assume and occupy her true place in the constellation of fashion stars.”
A 2008 photograph of Guinness by celebrity photographer Mario Testino for British Vogue was sold for £133,250 at the auction many times above its estimate of £20,000-£30,000.
A dress by British designer Alexander McQueen, a close friend of both Guinness and Blow, who committed suicide in February 2010, was sold for £85,250 at the auction, setting a record for McQueen.
The ivory tulle empire line gown, named The Girl Who Lived in a Tree, was estimated to sell for £15,000-£20,000 along with a photograph of Guinness wearing the gown.
McQueen’s metallic silver mini dress along with a photograph of Guinness wearing it was sold for £79,250, almost four times its estimate of £15,000-£20,000.
Guinness, who is famous for dressing in black and white, is well known for her penchant for heelless shoes. A pair of her boots, heelless and made of red metallic leather embossed with floral scrolls, by Noritaka Tatehana was sold for £8,125. It had been estimated to sell for £1,500-£2,500.
A pair of gold and black platform ankle boots, designed by McQueen, was sold for £15,000 at three times its estimated price of £3,000-£5,000.
New world record prices were also achieved for designer Christian Lacroix and photographer Mario Testino at the auction.
“It is testament to the style and individuality of Daphne Guinness that international institutions, important designers, wellknown fashion icons and private collectors bid against each other for items from her personal wardrobe,” Pat Frost, director, fashion and textiles, Christie’s, said after the auction.