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Lot 20
Lot 20
1963 - Douglas Darnell, The Cardinal |
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The Cardinal - a sensational evening ensemble of
flame-coloured silk, the strapless sheath dress with fitted bodice, lavishly
embellished with deep bands of fuchsia sequins, various shades of Swarovski siam
crystals, gold beads, imitation seed pearls and red rhinestones, lined in
tangerine silk; and matching short-sleeved coat similarly richly decorated with
a deep border of crystals, beads and sequins, lined in gold lamé, the dress with
Modele Originel Darnell of London label.
Weight: approx. 5.5kg
Dame Shirley calls this outfit 'The Cardinal'. She is particularly fond of it
and originally purchased the ensemble from Darnell's show in 1963 where it had
been modelled by Darnell's sister Linda.
Dame Shirley and Darnell have fond memories of this outfit:
DD: This was made 40 years ago [in 1963] ...my sister [Linda] was a model and it
was worn in a show along with [the coat]
DSB: I love that [outfit] I call it 'The Cardinal'
DD: ....This was originally a straight dress...perfectly plain -- it had a knot
at the back and long ends. The coat had a tail which was taken off and then that
[the beaded jewelled bands] put on the dress
DSB: I loved it
DD: You wore it at 'The Night of a Hundred Stars' at the Palladium
DSB: [I remember] The gasp ...when you walk on stage and hear that gasp
DD: She hasn't even opened her mouth by then. That's for keeps. the first gasp
is mine...for what I've made you look like [both laugh]. Then it's down to
Madam. As Flo Ziegfield said "You get the audience by the first impression after
that it's down to the cast.."
DSB: I agree with that because when I walk on stage I can tell immediately if
I've got the audience...
DD:...and if they don't do that [gasp] ...I'll hear about it the next day [both
laugh]
£3,000
Images displayed with kind permission of Christies Images Ltd. © 2002
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