Featuring Two Centuries of Important Fashion
by the World’s Legendary Couturiers
Auction: Wednesday, December 10 at 10am
Exhibition: December 6 – 8
Contact: Clair Watson
212-427-4141, ext 603
couture@DoyleNewYork.com
(catalogue notes) In 1983, Doyle New York pioneered the couture and accessories auction category, and over the last twenty years has grown to become the world’s premier auction house offering vintage couture. The December auction will feature among its highlights the personal collection of Martha Phillips and Lynn Manulis, the owners of the legendary Park Avenue boutique, Martha. As one of the foremost arbiters of fashion for two decades, the store introduced many designers to the American public, including Valentino, Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo and Patrick Kelly, in addition to highlighting such prominent designers as Norell and Galanos. This extraordinary private collection from Palm Beach features over 200 designs dating from the 1960s through the 1980s and includes exquisite creations by Valentino, Norell, Galanos, Stavropolous, Chanel, Giorgio di Sant’ Angelo, Halston and many others, as well as handbags by Chanel and minaudières by Judith Leiber. One of the collection’s highlights is a stunning one-of-a-kind crystal encrusted evening gown by Norell.
Property from other collections includes a rare 1920s Orientalist chemise dress by Germaine Couture, an asymmetrical evening gown by Schiaparelli, and a stunning 1953 black satin and velvet evening coat by Charles James from the collection of Eleanor Searle Whitney McCollum, formerly Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney. The sale will also offer fine costume jewelry, including pieces from the collection of film star Joan Crawford, as well as a selection of American, European and Asian textiles
