What would you give to slip on a Vivienne Westwood corset plucked from her own closet? Or anarchistic tank tops made for her ‘SEX’ boutique so rare that designer Kim Jones only parted ways with them to gift them to Westwood’s granddaughter, Cora Corre, following her death.
For some, like Johnny Valencia of Pechuga Vintage and fashion writer and critic Alexander Fury, possessing a piece of Westwood’s ephemera is a pursuit they’ve poured thousands of dollars into in their quest to collect the late designer’s work. But for everyday people like you or I, owning something once worn by Westwood herself is a dream just out of reach.
Well, that was until now.
Announced overnight, auction house Christie’s will be selling pieces from Westwood’s personal collection come June.
Mark your calendars for June 25, because this is the closet sale of the century—one not to be missed.
Unlike other designers, it’s hard to gauge where Westwood’s designs end and her personal wares begin. This quality enriched everything she wore; in the atelier, on the runway, in editorials and her work as an activist. (Because what other 70-year-old would wear towering platform heels, punk ephemera and historical silhouettes to fight for climate justice?)
The cultural significance of her work can not be understated, which makes the auctioning of her pieces all the more meaningful. A navy blue serge double-breasted coat with bone-button and matching drop-waist skirt with a tulle panel from the ‘Witches’ collection of Autumn/Winter 1983 is the earliest ensemble available for purchase.
Other highlights include a dress with a blue and white striped blouse, printed propaganda modesty panel and apron from her FW06 ‘Propaganda’ collection and a corset gown of taupe silk taffeta from the FW99 collection titled ‘‘Dressed to Scale’. “
“This sale is without precedent and will always be without equal,” said Adrian Hume-Sayer, a collections director at Christie’s in a statement. “The personal wardrobe of arguably Britain’s greatest-ever fashion designer is pretty incredible. It’s a sort of once-in-a-lifetime thing.”
Thanks to the power of the internet, the garments will be auctioned off online meaning you don’t need to book that flight to Heathrow to ensure your paddle is in prime position. And with a portion of funds donated towards various humanitarian charities, including her own foundation, this sale will be Westwood’s final act as an environmental campaigner.
However, if bidding is not your forte, you can also purchase the limited-edition catalogue that will be available for purchase alongside the auction. For more information on the auction, including how to register, head to the Christie’s website, here.
