Since Cilla Black’s passing, TV icon and singer’s clothes have been preserved and a sizable sum has been raised for charity.
The clothes collection of the late TV and singing star Cilla Black raised £40,000 for charity – with some items set to go on museum display in the future. On Friday, TV legend Cilla’s wardrobe featuring 246 items went under the hammer with the proceeds going to the children’s charity Variety.
The turquoise ‘Faye’ maxi dress worn by Cilla during her memorable 1971 appearance on The Morecambe & Wise Show achieved £800, the highest winning bid on the day. The second highest earner of the day at £720 was Cilla’s Jean Varon, ivory coloured mini dress which she wore in 1968 on the 1st season of her BBC ‘Cilla’ tv variety series.
Cilla was best known for fronting shows on ITV such as Blind Date and Surprise Surprise, having previously been a singer in the Sixties and starred at venues like The Cavern in Liverpool alongside The Beatles.
Commenting after the sale, Cilla’s son Robert Willis told the Mirror: “I’ve just learned that 100% of the catalogue lots were sold. I’m so glad that all the items have found new homes, where I hope they’ll be cherished, appreciated, and given fresh life and meaning by those who won them at auction. I’m also very pleased that we raised £40,000 for Variety, the Children’s Charity — something I’m sure Mum would have been very happy about!”
According to The Mirror, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&, A) is planning to make several of Cilla’s most well-known fashions available for public viewing in the future.
Robert responded, “It’s a fantastic compliment that the V&, A, such a prestigious institution, has chosen to take on part of the collection. It’s a great honor and I’m truly grateful. One day, I’m looking forward to seeing these pieces displayed at V&, A.
The auction included pieces by Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, Jean Muir, Loewe, Issey Miyake, Jimmy Choo, and many others, making it a rare opportunity to own a piece of British fashion and entertainment history. Cilla, a TV aficionado and singer, passed away in 2015 and is renowned for hosting shows like Surprise Surprise and Blind Date despite earlier chart success.
Robert explained that Cilla’s wardrobe had a proud place in the attic at The Grove, the family home in Denham, and that Cilla’s outfits remained spotless. She hid all of her clothing on rails, carefully stored under plastic bags, and according to Robert, “she kept everything on rails.” They stayed there for a long time. The sale occurred ten years prior to Cilla’s passing in 2015.
Cilla’s fashion choices were expressive and joyful, just like her personality. The collection featured feathered and beaded showgirls who adorned her television sets in sleek, tailored jackets.
The sale was announced by Variety’s CEO, Laurence Guinness, who stated: “Millions of disabled and disadvantaged children are currently living off of the basic necessities.” The life-changing impact of the Cilla Black collection auctioneers’ glamour rivals that of the Cilla Black collection auction. A vulnerable child could have a future filled with opportunity, while winning could give them a vital wheelchair, a special bed, or the means to communicate.
Cilla was a strong supporter of Variety, and this is a chance to carry out her generosity at a time when it is more urgent than ever.
* Variety supports disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK https://variety.org/
Source: Mirror
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