Garments from the famed Charlotte Smith collection to be sold to the public

On this weekend.

In what is possibly a once-in-a-lifetime turn of events, garments from the vintage wardrobe of renowned couture collector, Charlotte Smith, will be sold to the public this weekend as part of a designer exhibition in partnership with the Australian Fashion Council.

Designs from the private collection, which currently features over 9000 pieces, will be exhibited as part of Time Lapse: Fashion’s Past Creates the Present and Inspires the Future. It will showcase garments from designers like Martin Margiela, Thierry Mugler and Vivienne Westwood, with a particular focus on techniques like beading, tailoring, embroidery and printing.

Of the 18 designs included, some have never been seen before. These include an embroidered gown from Rodarte, a sequinned Martin Margiela sheath dress, and a wedding dress from the 1930s.

In a coup for Melburnians, hundreds of the collection’s pieces will also be available for sale.

Those intending to shop can expect to find wearable vintage from the 1940s-1990s, including lingerie, dresses, wool, fur and a small selection of menswear. If you’re really dedicated, there will also be pieces from the 1800s being sold for conservation and restoration.

Smith told Vogue of the decision to downsize her collection, sharing: “this means more people can enjoy owning something special from a major collection.”

The sale and exhibition will run from Friday July 26 to Saturday July 27 at Billy Blue College of Design in Melbourne’s CBD. Find more info here.

thecharlottesmithfashioncollection.com
ausfashioncouncil.com

Time Lapse: Fashion’s Past Creates the Present and Inspires the Future
Billy Blue College of Design
196 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC
July 26 – July 27
Friday, 10am – 4pm
Saturday, 10am – 3pm