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Vintage Fashion Consignment
From auctions dedicated to haute couture and fashion photography to collaborations with stylists, designers and editors, Sotheby's provides a wide overview of iconic designs by couturiers who have left their mark on the history of fashion. Often, these vintage fashion collections have been hidden from the public eye for decades. Global collectors of vintage designer clothing look for fine craftsmanship that embodies an artist or period, characterised by exquisite materials, sophisticated detail and vibrant colours. In 2018, a 1969 tunic dress by Paco Rabanne, made of shimmering rhodoid disks, estimated at 6,000 to 8,000 EUR, which sold for 43,750 EUR at auction.
More recently, our October 2019 online sale of more than 200 Martin Margiela contemporary designs realised 341,750 EUR. Sotheby’s, your most reliable resource for luxury designer clothing and vintage fashion appraisal and consignment, continues to outpace market competitors, often achieving record-setting hammer prices. If you are wondering where to sell a vintage clothing collection, now is the perfect time to consign vintage fashion for the highest price. To start, simply submit images and information through our easy-to-use online form. Our specialists will review your submission and contact you to let you know of your collection's sale potential.
Find Out the Value of Your Luxury Fashion
Submit photos and information about your vintage clothing collection begin your complimentary auction estimate request.
Vintage Fashion Sold at Sotheby's
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to sell my vintage fashion and designer clothing collection?The market for vintage designer fashion is stronger than ever, with international collectors driving prices to unmatched heights. Once you consign a luxury fashion collection including, a designer gown, vintage dress, shoes or other collectible haute couture fashion accessories, our specialists will suggest the optimal location to sell vintage fashion for the highest price.
- What are some of Sotheby’s most successful vintage fashion auctions?In 2018, Sotheby’s Quidam de Revel collection, a Paris auction dedicated to fashion and haute couture, realised 574,640 EUR. Collected by Emmanuelle and Philippe Harros, the 160 pieces of jewellery and accessories from the 1930s through the 2000s provided a wide overview of iconic designs by couturiers such as Paco Rabanne, Yves Saint Laurentt, Madame Grès, Pierre Cardin, Givenchy, Elsa Schiaparelli, Thierry Mugler, Martin Margiela, John Galliano and Christian Dior. Another of our very successful fashion sales was the 2015 private collection of Didier Ludot, which fetched €966,259, three times the pre-sale estimate. That vintage clothing sale, the first Haute Couture auction at Sotheby's Paris, included 171 lots, dating from 1924 to 2006. The highest bid of the sale went to a Balenciaga evening dress covered in pink ostrich feathers. The iconic piece from Madame Francine Weisweiller’s wardrobe was acquired for €56,250, against a €6,000 - 8,000 estimate.
- Does Sotheby’s also sell vintage fashion online?Absolutely. For example, in October 2019, Sotheby's unveiled a collection dedicated to fashion’s most discreet designer, Martin Margiela. Considered one of the most atypical couturiers of his generation, he is one of the very few designers to have achieved a radical renewal in the world of contemporary fashion. Nearly 220 pieces brought together by a private collector in a single high-profile sale revisited the most iconic creations of Margiela’s career. This exhibition and online auction celebrated the faceless designer who has never given any interview and whose refined white brand label carries no logo. The sale, which fetched 341,750 EUR, offered ready-to-wear pieces as well as a wide selection of limited editions from the Martin Margiela Artisanal collection.
- How can I authenticate my vintage designer fashion?First, closely look for any stamped markings and inspect your vintage clothing for quality craftsmanship. Because forgeries exist in the marketplace, request a complimentary auction estimate from Sotheby’s. Trust our experienced specialists to thoughtfully examine and appraise your women’s and men’s retro fashion to yield the highest price at auction.
More information on how to sell with Sotheby's
Sotheby’s is your best resource to buy retro fashion, consign vintage clothing and sell vintage fashion style such as a gown, dress, designer shoes or other haute couture fashion by designers such as Christian Dior, Elsa Schiaparelli, Yves Saint Laurent, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Oscar de la Renta, Paco Rabanne, Madame Grès, Pierre Cardin, Thierry Mugler ,Judith Lieber, Chanel, Paul Poiret, Yohji Yamamoto, Cristobal Balenciaga, Azzedine Alaïa, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, Perugia, Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Martin Margiela and Comme des Garçons.