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Lot 07
Lot 7
1990s - Douglas Darnell |
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A striking 'shimmy' gown by Douglas Darnell of sheer black chiffon, the bodice
and narrow straps densely embroidered with black sequins and glass imitation jet
drops, the skirt slit centrally to the upper leg and decorated over all with
tiers of cascading black silk tassels on glass imitation jet bead terminals over
vertical stripes of black sequins, the flowing train further embellished with
multiple rows of black sequins in a deep band, lined in black silk
Weight: approx. 4.5kg.
This is the first of two 'shimmy' gowns made by Darnell, who recalls that Dame
Shirley enjoyed wearing this black gown so much, she requested another in white
[see lot 48]. Darnell also recalls that these gowns took a very long time to
make as each tassel has graduated beading and silk strands, and each individual
piece had to be precisely measured.
The photograph illustrated shows Dame Shirley's debut in this gown on stage at
the Royal Albert Hall, 1992. Photograph courtesy of Dave Spencer.
£10,000
Images displayed with kind permission of Christies Images Ltd. © 2002
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