Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé "Shower Dress” to Anchor Hindman Summer Fashion Auction
CHICAGO – This Friday, Hindman’s annual Summer Fashion auction will feature a strong collection of clothing and accessories that were designed by Karl Lagerfeld from 1970 to his death in 2019. Documenting nearly 50 years of Lagerfeld’s career, the auction includes examples from his eponymous fashion label, as well as designs from his work for the labels of Chloé, Fendi, and Chanel. The collection will be highlighted by a quintessential Lagerfeld design, the “Shower Dress” (pictured above).
This famous dress (lot 231A; estimate: $10,000 - 25,000) was designed by Lagerfeld for the French fashion house of Chloé, where Lagerfeld was first a designer from 1966–83, and later artistic director from 1992–97. At Chloé, Lagerfeld was a prolific creator, producing some of his most playful and irreverent work. This whimsy is clearly displayed in Chloé’s 1983 autumn/winter collection, and the various iterations of the Shower Dress became signature pieces of this season. Hindman holds the world auction record for a garment by Lagerfeld, a Shower Dress that sold in 2019 for $32,500. The dress saw tremendous bidding, and was ultimately acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Timothy Long, Director & Senior Specialist of Couture and Luxury Accessories commented: “It’s an honor to be able to bring to auction Hindman’s second Shower Dress, such a celebrated garment, among a wide range of designs by this legendary German designer, timed with the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s exhibition Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty. We are already seeing a lot of excitement for the dress, and are looking forward to seeing what happens on auction day.”
Karl Lagerfeld-designed garments and accessories will also include:
Lot 231 | Karl Lagerfeld for Chloé Dress, Fall 1979 | Estimate: $800 - 1,200 (pictured at far left in above photo)
Lot 268 | Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Jacket and Skirt, 1980s | Estimate: $600 - 800 (pictured in the middle in above photo)
Lot 232 | Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi Leather Coat, Bib, and Belt, 1980s | Estimate: $500 - 700 (pictured at far right in above photo)
Lot 251 | Chanel Brown Leather Flap Bag, 2008-09 | Estimate: $3,000 - 4,000
Lot 255 | Chanel Bag, 2017-18 | Estimate: $1,000 - 2,000
A strong selection of Chanel clothing and accessories will also be a focal point of the auction, led by items such as a 1930s haute couture embroidered gold net and lamé jacket (Lot 11; estimate: $3,000-4,000). This jacket is a rare example of the work of Gabrielle Chanel (1883-1971) and exemplifies the high standards of dressmaking skill applied to the creation of haute couture.
Also included in this auction are rare items from museum deaccessions, including a collection of clothing, illustrations, and patterns for designs by Bonnie Cashin (1908-2000), a pioneer in American sportswear. These items range from the 1950s to the 1970s and are deaccessions from the Missouri Historical Society that are being sold to benefit acquisitions and conservation.
Other museum deaccessions include rare examples of haute couture from Christian Dior and Pierre Cardin.
The full auction can be found online here.
Bidding for the auction will begin at 10am CT on June 9, and will be available online via Hindman’s Digital Bid Rom.