Vintage Fashion

This couture gown, sold for £360 at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium), was once owned by the woman who hosted the wedding of Wallis Simpson and the Duke of Windsor.

This late 19th century surcoat or longgua, finely embroidered in silk and gold thread with eight dragon roundels, was originally worn by a high-ranking woman at the Chinese Imperial court.

Following the raft of recent Covid-19 cancellations, The Antique Dealers’ Association of America (ADA) is seeking to help its members with an online antiques exhibition.

The recent auction held ‘live online’ by Aldridges of Bath included this spectacular hand-woven north Indian long shawl, or dochalla. It came with a colonial provenance.

Long unseen material from the country home of an ancient English family brought some estimate-demolishing five-figure bids at Morphets (17.5% buyer’s premium) including a genuine sleeper.

An early 17th century Limoges enamel draw purse attracted a flurry of bids at Chorley’s Attic Sale in Gloucestershire. Set with period portraits of a lady on one side and a gentleman on the other, the accessory has remained intact for about 400 years – in most examples the fabric has deteriorated significantly.

While items of Queen Victoria’s clothing are not a rare sight at auction, a collection on offer in Derbyshire proved of high enough quality to attract bidding from a world-famous collection of royal dress.

Bonhams has bolstered its luxury division by launching a dedicated handbag and fashion department.

Collectors who missed out on a rare late 19th century cabin trunk at auction last week have the chance to buy another in West Sussex this coming Friday.

Launched in Norfolk 10 years ago by local Zoe Keegan, the Little Vintage Lover Fairs team will be back at the same venue where it all started in the pretty coastal village of Blakeney for the winter Christmas fair on Sunday, December 1, at the village hall.

The charity Oxfam estimates that it saves about 47 million items of clothing a year from landfill. Its new superstore in Oxford is promoting Oxfam’s 'Second Hand September' campaign with the aim of encouraging people to buy vintage instead of new clothes.

London-based vintage costume jewellery dealer Amanda Bhatia, aka Dottie Annie’s Vintage, is a new exhibitor at the Clerkenwell Vintage Fashion Fair.

Pleased as the vendors were to be told by Gloucestershire auctioneer Martin Lambert that a 1920s trunk from their late parents’ home could be worth £2000, they were happier when pre-sale interest in Tayler & Fletcher’s recent sale brought a revised estimate of £2500-4000.

With interest high in vintage clothing, we ask fair organisers for their views on the market.