Metal: November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

Maybe it's a sign of the times. In April this year, Leonard Joel auctions in Melbourne staged its first sale of pre-owned designer clothing, accessories and furs and were amazed to find bidders queued up outside the auction rooms in South Yarra.
There was little publicity. Word of mouth was enough to be a focus for a large, eager crowd.
More than 95 per cent of items sold at above estimate, some way above.
The second auction in this sequence was held on June 19 and was equally successful. Consignments for the third, in August, are already being taken.
The method is simple. They sell reasonable luxury items from the 1950s to the present, mostly by top designer. At last month's auction there were 540 lots, ranging from Louis Vuitton luggage, a handbag by Paloma Picasso, a pair of Cartier sunglasses and an umbrella by Ungaro. Some noughties items were included, such as a 2005 Moschino suit and a 2008 jacket by Dolce & Gabbana. These are considered deeply retro now. Prices ranged from $50 to about $10,000. Several Sydney collectors flew to Melbourne to attend the auction, others bid online. But being there is preferred, as these are part auction, part social event.
This column's Melbourne spy was there and report an eclectic crowd.
''[There were] stylish ladies drenched in jewels, strangely styled young men wearing high heels (yes, you read correctly) and fur, a few dressed for comfort in tracksuit pants and runners, lots of fabulous handbags and a mix of equally fabulous reading glasses,'' our source says.

It was a well-educated crowd. They had deliberated the form guide and knew exactly what they wanted. Most bidders had lot numbers circle and prices underlined.

Handbags proved to be the favourite category, with a Bulgari bag selling for $750, well above its $200 to $300 estimates. A Hermes Birkin bag, estimated at $8000-plus, sold for $10,000 after attracting bids from all over the room.
Source: fashionsblog