Textile & Vintage Fashion Results, Surrey Advertiser June 07

 A vast collection of vintage fashion came under the hammer at Wellers Surrey Auction House,on June 1st, creating a great deal of interest from public and trade alike.  Over 100 years of Fashion was represented from Victorian cotton dresses to hippy chick.  A large part of the collection had been consigned from a kings road shop that had ceased trading but there were also many items that had come in from local residents. Garments that had been treasured but not worn for years found  delighted new owners. Some of the stories attached to these garments came to life as their owners explained to the visiting television cameras why they had loved and looked after them for decades. One Godalming lady talked about her 1930s shawl rescued from a junk shop many years ago. The shawl in deep purple velvet with swansdown trim drew internet and saleroom interest selling for £130. Biba dresses also proved popular with renewed interest in the famous London store, each sold for between £100-£150.

The favourite decade was the 1940s. Andrea Machen of Wellers explained that it is very unusual to see so many 1940s clothes at one time, the early 40s were of course war years and women were told to 'make do and mend', Clothes were fashioned from all kinds of fabric, even old curtains, some feature a number of different patterns, it is this slightly eccentric styling that collectors love.

One late 1940s evening dress in tangerine chiffon and with a matching mohair stole proved irresistible for Guildford Student Abbey Butler, she saw off a telephone bidder finally securing the dress at £240.

Among the designer clothes two Pucci dresses received a lot of attention, but the top lot was a Chanel Couture dress, in brown silk printed with lilies and complete with matching shawl. The dress had been in the wardrobe  of a local lady for some years and had been very well looked after.  It was bought by an American lady who had come to the sale for that particular dress, she took it home, paying £520 plus premium.

Wellers plan to do a repeat performance of their 2006 fashion show before their next vintage fashion auction in the autumn and welcome entries.

tel  Andrea Machen on 07966 437119. or email andrea@wellersauctions.com