Wisteria Auctions, the first specialty vintage fashion auction house in Australia, will hold a debut auction in Sydney next month.
The first company event, to be held on November 6 at the Sebel Hotel Surry Hills, will see a selection of antique costume, vintage fashion and modern haute couture auctioned.
Product will include 1940s day dresses, vintage handbags, 19th Century gentleman’s top hats,antique store mannequins, and 1950s cocktail dresses.
A range of accessories, costume jewellery, fashion illustrations, and literature will also be sold, including the rare book collection of Judith Dorsman, costume designer for classic Australian films such as Picnic at Hanging Rock and Caddie.
Company founder Janel Morrissey said the popularity of shows like Underbelly Razor has helped a resurgence of interest in vintage fashion and classic couture in Australia and Wisteria Auctions was created to cater to this niche market.
“Wisteria Auctions is the only auction house that focuses only on vintage fashion. I set it up because I have a passion to bring vintage fashion to the public and I believe there is a gap in the vintage market in Australia,” she said.
“While there is vintage stock here, it is not reaching the vintage dealers as easy as it should, and dealers still tend to source items from overseas.”
Early highlights from the auction include:
• Costume designer Judith Dorsman’s collection of vintage clothing and fashion and costume books
• Ladies wear and accessories from the Edwardian era to the 1970s, including day dresses, cocktail dresses, hats, handbags and shoes
• Vintage store mannequins including an early 20th century Berlei counter display mannequin and a rare 1930s mannequin
• Vintage wedding dresses, including an ivory thai silk circa 1961 Audrey Hepburn slim fitting style full length gown with train.
The first auction items are now available on the Wisteria Auctions website, with the full collection to be available online from mid-October. Potential bidders are also invited to view the collection the day before and morning of the auctio and phone biddings will be taken both before and during the event.
For more information on Wisteria Auctions, go to: www.wisteriaauctions.com.au or call the auction house on (02) 8218 2105.