Today we went to see the gowns on display in Swarovski's beautiful crystal shop near Harrods. Honestly, folks, they are dazzling in every sense.
The photos in Christie's catalogue do not prepare you for the real gowns. Over the years I have seen most of them worn on stage, but never realised how much handwork goes into them. Also you obviously can't get close enough to see the detail during a show (Shirley would slap you off the stage), and I'm usually too busy enjoying the songs.
A young Londoner woman came into the shop, and shouted to her friends "Corrr, mate!" That's a good summary of everyone's reaction on first sight of the display.
Across the double frontage of Swarovski's the words: "Shirley Bassey - adding sparkle for 50 years" is written big in the windows. The silver gown with purple ostrich feathers known as The Diamond Dress is in the left window. Christie's catalogue page 95.
Inside the shop, they were playing a tape of Shirley singing. Some of her favourite gowns are centrally displayed on a raised surface. Halogen spotlighting brings out each sparkle.
The dramatic black velvet dress (Christie's page 39, above left) embellished with a stylised orchid of crystals is famous. She wore it at Carnegie Hall in 1985 when in mourning for her daughter. The stunning orchid is more three-dimensional than it looks in the photos. Douglas Darnell calls it the chandelier! The train was partly turned over to show the contrasting bright silver silk lining.
Next was the gorgeous red bobby-dazzler (Christie's page 54, above right). The rich ruby red colour of thousands of hand-sewn sequins, crystals and beads is truly beautiful. A work of art.
Goldfinger! (Christie's page 76, left) is the one I'd like to buy. Sensational. Exquisitely detailed haute couture handwork. It must have taken a long time and nimble fingers to construct this gown. I had no idea how much embroidery is involved.
The pink jacket (Christie's page 60) is with a matching skirt, unusual in being long-sleeved. A pretty colour, skilfully encrusted with a crate of crystals.
The 1960s Catsuit (Christie's page 82) looked a tight fit. Another elaborate garment. Not for walking round Tesco in.
Not forgetting the Orange. This was the biggest surprise in terms of reality being better than photography. (Christie's pages 46-47, right) I thought the colour was a bit passé. But the gown is covered with seemingly thousands of tiny orange beads. No idea how they attached them to the cloth. Quite amazing.
I hope this report will be of interest, and encourage you to see them. All gowns look like new.
If you're in the West End of London it's well worth the detour. The shop's good too, full of classy crystal stuff. I already have a Swarovski swan, and was tempted by a pretty necklace. It's near Harrods if you fancy a crab and saffron quiche or a new grand piano.
If motoring via the M4, the Hammersmith Flyover is now open again after resurfacing chaos. We have written a new song for London: "Traffic Lights are Forever".
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