By Andrea Valluzzo
Photos Courtesy Nadeau’s Auction Gallery
The top lot of the auction at $4,687 was a knee-length evening dress from Christian Dior’s autumn/winter 1973 line, sheer gold and tan silk organza, with ruffled deep V front. It handily bested its $300/500 estimate.
WINDSOR, CONN. — Nadeau Auction Gallery’s May 14 debut dedicated auction of couture and fashion was a rousing success, with many lots performing well above their conservative estimates.
“This is a fun market. We were very happy and we would definitely be interested in doing this again,” said Eddie Nadeau, noting some of the prices were a good surprise.
More than 90 percent of the auction’s offerings came out of a single estate in New York so we are not likely to see such a sale again anytime soon here, but now that Nadeau’s is in the map for selling vintage fashions, fashionistas will keep the auction house on their radar.
Garments by well-known designers not surprisingly accounted for some of the top prices of the sale. The top lot was a Christian Dior autumn/winter 1973 evening dress that attained $4,687 from a floor bidder. The knee-length dress in sheer gold and tan silk organza had a ruffled deep V front and ruffled hem.
Estimated at a mere $300/500, the dress was a big surprise. “We expected a few items to do the $200 to $400 range,” Nadeau said. “It’s surprising to get the number when you’re not completely expecting it.”
The sale drew a good attendance, with about 100 bidders in the gallery, among them some well-known names in the fashion trade.
Among the designers performing well across the board were the Chanel suits as well as purses, and Louis Vuitton luggage. Givenchy lots were led by an embroidered strapless dress in yellow appliquéd with multicolored flowers and leaves bringing $2,000 and a lot comprising two evening dresses, one in navy blue dress with a tiered net and the other a black and white velvet and net dress that made $2,125.
A Marguerite Stix large silver-mounted shell box, 3½ by 6¼ by 3¼ inches, was conservatively estimated at $100/200. It sold for $3,120.
Rounding out the auction were a Maximilian fur mink having 3/4 sleeves that beat its $100/200 estimate to go out at $2,250; a quilted Chanel metallic silver leather handbag/purse, marked Biarritz, Monaco Paris, Mademaselle, at $2,160; a vintage Gucci black pressed alligator leather purse at $1,625 and a Louis Vuitton Pegase 70 rolling suitcase in brown monogram canvas, 26 by 18 by 9 inches, fetching $3,000. A Marguerite Stix large silver mounted shell box drew a winning bid of $3,120.
All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
For additional information, www.nadeausauction.com or 860-246-2444.
