Christie's sales in this immensely popular category take place throughout the year, making South Kensington one of the top destinations for those with an eye for couture. Our recently launched, annual Vintage Couture & Luxury Handbags sale, features 20th century couture and evening wear from established fashion houses, such as Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga and McQueen, as well as vintage and contemporary handbags by Hermès. In addition, the department regularly holds and contributes to single owner sales and online only sales, such as ‘The Daphne Guinness Collection’ (June 2012), ‘Hermès: Four One-of-A-Kind Passe-Guide Bags’ (May 2012) and ‘The Elizabeth Taylor Collection’ (December 2011), as well as participating in the Style and Spirit sales where the spotlight is firmly on Louis Vuitton luggage and trunks from the late 19th century to the 21st century.
The allure of Christie’s fashion sales draws International couture collectors and fashion lovers, as well as institutions, offering both ready-to-wear and museum-quality pieces.
ONLINE ONLY AUCTION
Vintage Couture: Handbags and Accessories Online Only
International Specialist
pfrost@christies.com
Tel:+44 (0)20 7752 3215
Associate Specialist
cborthwick@christies.com
Tel:+44 (0)20 7752 3216
Fax:+44 (0)20 7752 3184
The Daphne Guinness Collection Sold to Benefit the Isabella Blow Foundation
In The Saleroom: A Versace Beaded Evening Jacket, 'The Face'
In The Saleroom: A Christian Dior Evening Gown of Silver Encrusted Brocade with Matching Evening Bag
The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor: The Making of An Auction
RELEASE: IN MY FASHION: The Suzy Menkes Collection, ONLINE-ONLY SALE, 11-22 JULY 2013
RELEASE: Vintage Couture at Christie's - Live and Online-Only Auctions, South Kensington
'THE GIRL WHO LIVED IN THE TREE', ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, AUTUMN/WINTER 2008-9, AND THE PHOTOGRAPH FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR UK, 2012
HERMÈS, 2011
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, 2008, AND THE PHOTOGRAPH FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR UK, 2012
HERMÈS, 2009
CHRISTIAN DIOR, 1948
CHRISTIAN DIOR, 1948-9
HERMÈS, 2007
CHRISTIAN LACROIX
LABELED 'CHRISTIAN DIOR PRINTEMPS-ÉTÉ 1968' AND STAMPED '145322', WITH INSCRIBED TAG TO THE REVERSE, THE BAG STAMPED 'CHRISTIAN DIOR' IN GILT
HERMÈS, 2010
YVES SAINT LAURENT, 1966
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN, AUTUMN/WINTER 2010
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Patricia Frost joined Christie's in 1986, following her BA in English Literature from the University of Cambridge. After working in the Chairman's office for two years, she moved to the Textiles Department as an administrator and cataloguer. Her area of expertise is fashion, costume and textiles, not only European but also Asian & Islamic. In 1995, she became an Associate Director and also introduced the popular 20th Century Fashion auctions. In 1997, Pat set up the Oriental and Islamic Textile Department, as well as being in charge of the French Initiative for Christie's South Kensington. In November 1999, Pat became head of the European and Oriental Department as well as continuing to head the Oriental Textile Department. Between 2000 and 2005, Pat was Business Manager for Asian Art in Europe, coordinating sales and marketing and strategy for Chinese, Japanese and Islamic Art, as well as Antiquities. Pat returned to the Textile Department as Senior Specialist and Head of Department in 2005. She has contributed to several books on textiles and is the author of The Millers Guide to Collecting Textiles. Recent highlights have included working on the Elizabeth Taylor Collection from catalogue to sale as well as the June 2012 Daphne Guinness sale, in which Daphne sold part of her McQueen wardrobe to benefit the Isabella Blow Foundation.
Clare Borthwick began her career at Christie’s in 2007 as a Graduate Intern in the Costume and Textiles Department. She subsequently transferred to the role of Administrator within the Books Department, working both at South Kensington and at King Street, before returning to the Costume and Textiles department as Junior Specialist in 2009. Within this role, she specialised in European textiles from the 17th century, which formed part of regular Masters and Makers sales, Louis Vuitton trunks and luggage for the Style and Spirit sales, as well as cataloguing historical costume and 20th century vintage couture for the annual Fashion Through the Ages sale. For the last three years, she has headed up the handbag section of the bi-annual Elegance sales, which featured up to seventy lots of Hermès handbags and a selection of fine jewels. She was also responsible for valuing and cataloguing Elizabeth Taylor’s accessories wardrobe, which formed part of the landmark series of sales in New York in December 2011. In her capacity as Associate Specialist, in the recently launched Vintage Couture & Luxury Handbags Department, Clare is responsible for the cataloguing of vintage couture from the early 20th century, as well as exclusive 21st century pieces from designers, such as McQueen and luxury accessories, including Hermès handbags and Louis Vuitton luggage. Clare received her Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Printed Textiles from the University for the Creative Arts in 2006.