“We chose nothing!” says Adrian Hume-Sayer, the Director of Private & Iconic Collections at Christie’s, of how the auction came about. In fact, during the last few months of her life, Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler, her husband for over 30 years, and now the Creative Director of Vivienne Westwood, had discussed selling her wardrobe for charity. It was Kronthaler who single-handedly curated the selection that is coming up for auction.
“Towards the end, we talked about her clothes and whether they should be sold for a good cause,” Kronthaler says. “Vivienne immediately agreed to raise money for charities and organisations she worked with.” The proceeds of both the live and the online auctions will be donated to The Vivienne Foundation, Médecins Sans Frontières, Amnesty International and Greenpeace.
In Kronthaler’s mind, it is impossible to overstate the importance of this sale. “We are offering her very personal collection of clothing. You will feel and see how much they were part of her. It’s a joy to be able to share it with others and not to waste, and to give the garments a new life.”
While some of these pieces may end up in institutions, this sale presents a unique opportunity for collectors and fashion fans – Westwood warriors – to participate in the legacy of the designer. Here are the most important items in the sale:
Vivienne’s Playing Cards
Estimate: £30,000-£50,000