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Lot 38
 1960s - Douglas Darnell


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Description & Notes

Goldfinger - a twinkling stage gown by Douglas Darnell, the natural-coloured silk chiffon ground densely embroidered overall with gold beads in vermicular pattern, loosely gathered at the waist [lacking belt], the hem richly embellished with a deep band of bronze beads, Swarovski topaz crystals, imitation pearls and gold balls

Weight: approx. 2.5kg.

The photograph illustrated shows Dame Shirley dancing with her second husband, Sergio Novak, during a party for the 1971 Royal Film Performance at the Odeon, Leicester Square, London, 8th March.

When discussing this gown Dame Shirley and Darnell's recollections differed as to whether, in it's current form, it was a remake of an earlier gown:

DSB:...That's the 'Big Spender' dress
DD: No. It [the Big Spender dress] had diamonds under the boobs ending in a buckle
DSB: It was changed into this
DD: No no no...this was a private gown and you walked on stage at the Empire Leicester Square with this on to sing the theme song to 'Goldfinger' at the première in 1964...there's a topaz belt that goes with that [gown] ....these are solid 9 carat gold beads, that's why they never go black...

Photograph courtesy of Harry Myers/Rex Features.
 
Final Price

£3,300
 
Important Note

Images displayed with kind permission of Christies Images Ltd. © 2002

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