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Lot 32
Lot 32
1970s - Douglas Darnell, The Something Dress |
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The Something Dress - a sensational bias cut stage
gown by Douglas Darnell, the sleeveless citrus yellow sateen applied with
paisley cones embroidered with Swarovski clear crystals, turquoise beads and
imitation pearls with strategically placed cut-out shaped sections; with
matching voluminous stage coat of citrus yellow velvet, the sleeves, collar and
opening trimmed with a deep border of yellow ostrich feathers, the sleeves
applied with paisley cones similarly embroidered and scattered with crystals and
beads, lined in electric blue silk tissue; and a pair of stiletto heeled
sandals, the thin leather straps and heels painted yellow to match the gown;
accompanied by a corresponding album Something,
United Artists, 1970.
This dress is closely associated with Dame Shirley's 1970 hit single written by
George Harrison, Something. The gown was worn for the photo shoot for the front
cover of the United Artists' album of the same name released that year. The
photograph illustrated shows Dame Shirley wearing the gown on stage with the
corresponding stage coat around the time of the release of the album. In an
interview for the BBC Wales television programme I Am What I Am, 1994, Dame
Shirley said that she thought this dress was ...sexy, without being over the
top.... She also recounted a story of wearing the dress on stage in the Empire
Room at the Plaza Hotel, New York. When introducing the song I Capricorn she
said "I happen to be a Capricorn" and a voice in the audience called out "I'm a
Capricorn too", peering into the crowd she saw that it was Ava Gardner "looking
gorgeous"...she said as she wasn't ringside and couldn't get to her easily, she
hitched up the gown and walked over to her across the tables - defying any man
on the way who looked as though he would attempt to touch her flesh through the
holes in the dress, not to.
£6,000
Images displayed with kind permission of Christies Images Ltd. © 2002
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