Vintage Couture from the 50s, 60s and 70s

CHICAGO- On April 20, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will conduct an auction of Luxury Accessories and Couture in the Chicago saleroom and online. Included in the spring auction will be a private collection of vintage couture, which will be offered as a session within the sale: Property of a Woman with Discerning Taste from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

This vintage couture collection was built over many years, starting in the 50s, and has never been offered for sale. Notable examples will be offered by Galanos, Givenchy, Thea Porter, Madame Gres and more. Highlights of the collection include a Chanel haute couture boucle skirt suit from the 1950s (presale estimate: $2,000 – 3,000), a Pierre Cardin 1960s black crepe dress (presale estimate: $2,000 – 3,000) and a Mollie Parnis haute couture hand beaded dress (presale estimate: $1,500 – 2,500). Many top designers from the post-WWII era are featured, showcasing the breadth of this single-owner collection.

In addition to this session, designer accessories are well represented in the sale. A Goyard steamer trunk will be offered with a presale estimate of $2,000 – 4,000. Numerous Chanel handbags will be available, such as a never worn Chanel navy caviar classic double flab handbag with an estimate of $1,800 – 2,800. Louis Vuitton is also well represented in the sale, ranging from a modern red taurillon capucines PM with an estimate of $1,000 – 2,000 to an impressive collection of Louis Vuitton luggage, such as a vintage train case that carries a presale estimate of $800 – 1,200.

Additionally, this sale features two vintage hats in rare pristine condition by important Chicago designer Benjamin Benedict Green-Field, who owned and operated the renowned millinery shop in Chicago, Bes-Ben. Known for making whimsical and extravagant hats, Bes-Ben operated on Michigan Avenue until 1978. Bes-Ben hats are featured in museum collections across the country including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Chicago History Museum. Included in the April sale is a Bes-Ben black silk butterfly hat with black netting, estimated at $150 – 250 as well as a Bes-Ben black velvet hat in a crown style with gold bead trim, black netting and gold tone faces offered with an estimate of $150 – 250.

The full auction catalogue is currently available online at lesliehindman.com. The public preview opens Monday, April 16 in Chicago, and the auction will begin at 10am on Friday, April 20.