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Lot 18
Lot 18
1960s-1990s Douglas Darnell |
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A sparkling stage ensemble by Douglas Darnell
comprising: a bias cut gown with fitted bodice, the orange silk chiffon ground
densely embroidered overall with tangerine beads and scattered with Swarovski
aurora borealis crystals, the thin shoulder straps crossing above a low-cut back
with two long strands of crystals and orange beads terminating in large tassels
of vari-coloured crystals and imitation pearls, the skirt with flowing train
lined in gold silk tissue; and a voluminous sleeveless coat with flowing train,
the orange silk chiffon ground encrusted with two-tone tangerine and pink
sequins, the edges and caped collar trimmed with a deep border of tangerine
ostrich feathers with flowing train, lined in gold silk tissue
Weight of gown: approx. 4.5kg.
The album illustrated, Shirley Bassey Sings The Movies, 1995, features Dame
Shirley wearing the gown in this lot on the cover. She also wore the gown on
stage on a number of occasions throughout the 1970s, including her performances
at the Royal Albert Hall, 1977-1978. This gown was also worn for Shirley's 1990
performance at Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City, which has been released on the
DVD Standing Room Only.
Darnell recalls that this gown has been reworked several times. It began life as
a beaded bodice, to which he then added a straight sheath skirt and later to
this a flowing train.
Photograph courtesy of EMI. Records U.K. and Dave Spencer.
£7,500
Images displayed with kind permission of Christies Images Ltd. © 2002
)