"Mozart", a fancy dress costume, comprising black satin breeches, white satin waistcoat, a coat of black velvet heavily encrusted with paillettes and embroidered with scrolling flowers, in the 18th century style, labelled Balenciaga, 10 avenue Georges V, with inscribed tag 39462 (indestinct), a tricorne hat of black velvet, also labelled Balenciaga, with inscribed tag (illegible); and associated items including a diamanté topped cane (one paste missing), a cravatte and sleeve ruffles of Brussels lace, a black velvet hair bow, various stockings and shoes and other accessories

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"Mozart", a fancy dress costume, comprising black satin breeches, white satin waistcoat, a coat of black velvet heavily encrusted with paillettes and embroidered with scrolling flowers, in the 18th century style, labelled Balenciaga, 10 avenue Georges V, with inscribed tag 39462 (indestinct), a tricorne hat of black velvet, also labelled Balenciaga, with inscribed tag (illegible); and associated items including a diamanté topped cane (one paste missing), a cravatte and sleeve ruffles of Brussels lace, a black velvet hair bow, various stockings and shoes and other accessories

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Lot Essay

Barbara Hutton, the Woolworth heiress and socialite, and her partner were both dressed identically in 18th century gentlemen's costume. The costumes were worn to the Beistigui Ball, given in 1951 by 'Don Carlos' de Beistegui, a Mexican silver mine millionaire at his lavishly renovated Palazzo Labia. The ball is reputed to have cost over $50,000. 1300 invitations were sent out stating that the theme was to be "Bal costume Epoque XVIII, Masques et Dominos". The glittering guest list included the Baron de Cabrol and Lady Diana Cooper, who came as Anthony and Cleopatra, their costumes designed by Oliver Messel, and made by Dior. Dior was present too, he and Salvador Dali being dressed as 'fantomes de Venise'. Some press reports state that Mozart could never have afforded such an outfit as it was thought to have cost in excess of $15,000.

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