Christie’s Will Be Auctioning a Royal Bridesmaid Dress and the Largest Collection of LV Luggage

The dress and headdress of one of the eight bridesmaids at the royal wedding in 1947 was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, a courtier to the highest British aristocratic circles in the interwar period. The floral-motif gown was inspired by Botticelli's Primavera and the fashions of high-Victorian Britain. "These dresses were designed to be symbolic of post-war British rebirth and growth," says Benedict Winter, Christie's specialist in private and iconic collections. The auction will take place on July 2nd in London, with a sale price estimated at £30,000-50,000.

From June 19th to July 3rd, an online auction will take place, prepared by Christie's Paris branch. It presents an anthology of Louis Vuitton luggage and offer more than 100 pieces bearing the company's legendary monogram, which have almost mythical status in the history of travel. The variety of models presented illustrates the evolution of the design, the changing demands of a discerning clientele, and the exceptional know-how of more than five generations of craftsmen.

Among the most notable pieces in the auction lot are a traveling wardrobe with a copper exterior from 1900 and a Stokowski Trunk model from the 1920s to 1930s with writing compartments and a folding table. The first example was custom-designed by the fashion house for the conductor Leopold Stokowski to fit his work and travel habits. Pre-auction estimates suggest that the proceeds from the sale of the entire collection could be between €1.4 million and €2.1 million.