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Shirley Looking For Big Spenders From PA News, By Lesley Richardson, Jul 12 2003

Dame Shirley Bassey appealed to Britain's big spenders today to spend a little money on the gowns she's auctioning off for charity later this year.

She presented a selection of the 50 dresses, one to mark each year she has worked in the showbiz industry, at Christie's, King Street, St James's, London.

She said the dresses marked "50 years of hard work" and seemed sad to see them sold.

But, as she lovingly stroked the ostrich feathers on a silver cape, she added: "I don't mind at the moment but come the day I'm sure I will have a tear."

She admitted the clothes were her "babies" and added: "It's incredible. For all these years they have just been hanging up in a warehouse. To see them hanging on mannequins has been incredible."

The Cardiff songbird is selling the gowns to raise money for the Dame Shirley Bassey Scholarship at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff and the Noah's Ark Children's Hospital Appeal.

The pieces up for sale include the diamond dress, dating from 1955, a sleeveless stage gown encrusted with thousands of Swarovski crystals and ostrich feathers.

One of her favourites, a black velvet gown with a three-dimensional orchid made from crystals, will also go under the hammer.

The dress she associated with her first hit, the 1964 James Bond theme tune, Goldfinger, a gold and silver sequinned gown, is also up for auction.

The entire collection is expected to fetch more than £50,000 for the two Welsh charities.

Dame Bassey said: "I would like Wales to take a gown for a Welsh museum but the money is going to Wales."

Lounging back on a sparkling sofa in a casual leopard-print long-sleeved top and khaki trousers, the 63-year-old looked as glamorous as ever.

When asked if the auction gave her iconic status, she replied: "I was an icon before I started to sell them."

The singer, who is celebrating 50 years in showbusiness this year added: "It's still hitting me. It's incredible. I'm amazed I've lasted this long and they said I wouldn't last.

"In school I was the girl most unlikely to succeed."

The charity auction will take place at Christie's, King Street, St James's, London, on Thursday September 18, 2003, at 8.15pm.

© PA News 2003

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