ART, FASHION AND SHOES: Daphne Guinness selling out to Christies

Daphne Guinness in Silver Alexander McQueen Dress

Daphne Guinness reportedly owns 2,500 garments, 450 pairs of shoes, 70 hats and 200 handbags. What’s an heiress and fashion collector to do when the wardrobe rails start to sag under the weight of so much couture? Call in Christies, of course.

In March, the auction house announced that it would sell 100 pieces from Guinness’s wardrobe to raise funds for The Isabella Blow Foundation.

The contents of the sale won’t be available to view in full until the ecatalogue publishes in May, but Christies has offered a teaser by revealing five standout pieces from the collection.

These include a cowhide and satin ‘bubble dress’ by Christian Lacroix, heelless platform shoes by Norita Tatehana and a sheer white silk mini-dress from one of Christopher Kane’s earliest collections. ‘Having heard about the wonderful new British talent that was Christopher Kane, Daphne visited his shop, saw this dress, and immediately fell in love with it,’ Christies says in the auction notes.

The most recognisable piece in the sale may be the sculptural silver mini-dress designed especially for Guinness by friend Alexander McQueen. With a pre-auction estimated price of £15,000-20,000, it’s the most valuable item up for auction.

Other fashion houses represented include Lanvin, Azzedine Alaia, Chanel, Prada, Gucci and more. Prices are expected to start at £300, raising as much as £100,000 in total.

The collection will be on public display from 23-27 June. The extreme platforms and thimble-waisted dresses may not be the most versatile or sensible fare, but they’re not intended to be—the 44-year-old Guinness views the pieces as art. As she said at a recent shoot: ‘Uncomfortable is the name of the game.’