Historical Fashion and Contemporary Couture Available at Augusta Auctions

Augusta Auctions’ End of Summer Elegance sale, scheduled for September 25, 2024, offers a rare opportunity to own a piece of fashion history. This event will present 250 lots of couture, with historical items dating back centuries balanced with more contemporary pieces. Online bidding and the full catalog are available on Bidsquare. 

Assorted fashion items from the 1920s and 30s are among the top lots in this event. Fine gowns and jackets from Fortuny and Vionnet will be available, as well as a flowing French evening gown from 1927 (lot #248; estimate: USD 1,800 – $2,500). This dress was designed by Callot Soeurs, a label founded by four sisters in 1895. The brand grew to become one of the premier fashion houses of the Belle Époque. The sisters were among the first to embrace fluid lines, looser cuts, and a modern aesthetic in their dresses. The offered evening gown is composed of tangerine-colored silk with gold and silver details. Gold lace adorns the flowing sleeves. 

Wedding gowns of all shapes and sizes will be offered in this event, including one from the mid-1920s (lot #2; estimate: $800 – $1,200). This cream-colored lace dress features a tiered ruffle skirt, velvet flower accents, and a sleeveless top. It is a robe de style gown, recognizable with its shell top, dropped waist, and flowing skirt. Silk wedding gowns from the 1830s and 40s can also be considered. Two of these dresses are offered in a single lot (#237; estimate: $00 – $1,200). The 1835 dress features a wide bateau neckline, balloon sleeves, and a full pleated skirt. The 1845 dress adopts a more structured, geometric form with its fitted boned bodice and gathered skirt. 

Gentleman’s clothes in the catalog include an assembled late 18th-century style suit, offered with a frock coat, bobbin lace flounce, silk waistcoat, satin breeches, and other accessories (lot #238; estimate: $1,200 – $1,500). This outfit is full of small details, including shamrocks on the embroidered waistcoat and a finely carved walking stick. Bidders can also consider a three-piece gray Civil War era suit from circa 1861 (lot #22; estimate: $800 – $1,200), a set of Sulka robes and a smoking jacket (lot #45; estimate: $400 – $600), and a three-piece deerskin Oklahoma Vaquero ensemble from 1889 (lot #220; estimate: $500 – $800). 

Other key lots include: 

• A mid-1960s Elizabeth Arden evening coat from the archive of Oscar de la Renta (lot #246; estimate: $800 – $1,200)
• A phoenix printed wool wrapper from the mid-1890s (lot #5; estimate: $800 – $1,200) 
• A Geoffrey Beene sequin-encrusted evening gown from 1985 (lot #128; estimate: $800 – $1,200) 
• A mixed lace veil from late-19th-century Brussels (lot #204; estimate: $500 – $800) 
• A Valentino crepe chiffon maxi dress and matching scarf from the 1970s (lot #121; estimate: $400 – $600)

Augusta Auctions represents museums, historical societies, universities and other institutions bringing to market museum deaccessions and patron donations, with sale proceeds earmarked to benefit their permanent collections. The company also represents individuals and select estates in the auction of rare fashion items.

Augusta Auctions’ End of Summer Elegance sale will begin at 11:00 AM EDT on September 25, 2024. Browse the complete catalog and register to place an online bid by visiting Bidsquare.