Hanna Smart climbing a tree in the Victorio & Lucchino dress, part of lot 347. Estimate: £150-250. Kerry Taylor Auctions image.
LONDON – The eclectic and fun wardrobe of Hannelore Smart, wife of the late British circus impresario Billy Smart Jr., is a highlight of Kerry Taylor Auctions’ early autumn antique and vintage fashion and textiles auction on Oct. 7. Internet live bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com.
Hannelore Nagel, a beautiful German stewardess, met Smart on a Pan Am flight from London to Los Angeles in 1973. They were instantly attracted, fell in love and married just five weeks later on a beach in Acapulco.
Smart was the 10th and youngest child of the legendary founder of the world famous Billy Smart Circus. During the 1960s, Smart Jr. had earned himself a reputation as a ladies’ man and enjoyed well-publicised liaisons with Jayne Mansfield, Shirley Bassey and Diana Dors. Hannelore, with her striking looks, fun-loving personality and fabulous figure was to be his life-long companion until his death in 2005.
The couple traveled the world, mixed with the jet set and generally had an all-round good time. Hannelore always dressed the part and her wardrobe was both eclectic and extensive.
During the ’80s and ’90s she donned figure-hugging garments by Alaia, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Mugler. In the ’90s she experimented with Westwood and Commes des Garcons. One of her dresses, a 1983 Mugler is dyed the same shade of magenta as her favorite Rolls-Royce. Her collection includes not only clothing but shoes, bags, sunglasses and ski suits – she even had a ski helmet by Chanel.
The wardrobe will be dispersed over two sales – the first set in our Oct. 7 auction and the remainder in our Passion for Fashion sale in early December. This collection reflects the wardrobe of a woman of great humor, personality and style.
A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.
For details, contact Kerry Taylor Auctions at 0044 (0)208 676 4600 or info@kerrytaylorauctions.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Hanna Smart climbing a tree in the Victorio & Lucchino dress, part of lot 347. Estimate: £150-250. Kerry Taylor Auctions image. Hannelore Smart (right) wearing the Mugler dress in lot 346 standing next to her Rolls Royce, which is painted a matching shade of magenta. Estimate: £150-250. Kerry Taylor Auctions image. Hannelore Smart wearing a Lily Farouche red satin ski suit, 1980s. Estimate: £100-150. Kerry Taylor Auctions image. Lot 340, Vivienne Westwood tartan suit, ‘Five Centuries Ago’ collection, Autumn-Winter, 1997-98. Estimate: £300-500. Kerry Taylor Auctions image. Lot 338, an Azzedine Alaïa burgundy leather suit, 1980s. Estimate: £200-300. Kerry Taylor Auctions image. Lot 333, an Azzedine Alaïa woven pink and blue wool suit, circa 1987. Estimate: £200-300. Kerry Taylor Auctions image. Lot 347, four colorful 1980s ensembles including this red and black denim ladybird-spot jacket and ra-ra skirt and a Victorio & Lucchino yellow and grey pleated taffeta cocktail dress with petal skirt. Estimate: £150-250. Kerry Taylor Auctions image. Lot 329, a group of Azzedine Alaïa accessories, early 1990s. Estimate: £150-250. Kerry Taylor Auctions image.
