Shirley's Gowns For Sale From The
Western Mail,
By Colin Pascoe, Jul 12 2003
Dame Shirley Bassey walked through the door yesterday and urged big spenders to
dip deep for the glittering evening gowns she's auctioning off for charity later
this year.
The Tiger Bay singer announced plans to put 50 dresses, including the gold and
silver sequined gown associated with her huge 1964 hit Goldfinger, under the
hammer as a fitting way to mark her show-stopping half-century in showbusiness.
Cash raised by the gala sale this autumn - expected to top £50,000 - will go
towards the £6.5m Noah's Ark Appeal to build Wales' first children's hospital.
News of the charity night at Christie's London on September 18 comes just 48
hours before Dame Shirley makes her debut at the Llangollen International
Eisteddfod tomorrow.
As the Cardiff-born star behind hits such as Big Spender, I Who Have Nothing and
Moonraker lovingly stroked the ostrich feathers on a silver cape, she admitted
the clothes were her "babies" and said, "I don't mind at the moment but come the
day I'm sure I will have a tear.
"Parting with these beautiful gowns will be an emotional experience. They have
brought me great success in my career and have been loved and admired by so
many.
"I would like Wales to take a gown for a Welsh museum but the money is going to
Wales. I am thrilled my collection of gowns will help raise money for two
deserving causes so close to my heart."
She is also selling the sexy collection to raise money for a Dame Shirley Bassey
Scholarship at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
It includes a sleeveless stage gown encrusted with thousands of crystals and
feathers from 1955, one she wore at the inauguration of US President John F
Kennedy, a black velvet dress with a three-dimensional orchid made from crystals
and a chiffon catsuit she wore at her 60th birthday concert at Althorp Park in
1997.
"It's incredible," she said, lounging on a sofa in a casual leopard-print
long-sleeved top and khaki trousers.
"For all these years they have just been hanging up in a warehouse. To see them
hanging on mannequins is incredible.
When asked if the auction gave her iconic status, she replied, "I was an icon
before I started to sell them."
On 50 years in the limelight, the singer 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 dresses will be on view at Christie's in King Street, St James's, London,
between September 13 and 17. They will be auctioned the next day at 8.15pm.
Noah's Ark Appeal trustee Lyn Jones said, "It is a wonderful gesture and is a
timely boost for the appeal."