Vintage couture looks smart at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, April 20

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.” Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

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 (estimate: $2,000–$3,000), a Pierre Cardin 1960s black crepe dress (estimate: $2,000–$3,000) and a Mollie Parnis haute couture hand beaded dress (above; estimate: $1,500–$2,500). Many top designers from the postwar era are featured, showcasing the breadth of this single-owner collection.

In addition to this session, designer accessories are well represented in the sale. An always stylish Chanel 38-inch goldtone and pearl necklace from the fall 1994 range is estimated at $600-$800.

 

A Goyard steamer trunk, shown below, will be offered with an 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 (below) with an estimate of $1,000–$2,000 to an impressive collection of Louis Vuitton luggage, such as a vintage train case that carries an 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 auction will begin at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 20.