Textile & Vintage Fashion, Surrey Advertiser 18 May 07

 Fans of vintage fashion will be flocking to The Surrey Auction House, on the first of June, to see Wellers auction of fine vintage costume accessories and jewellery.

Much of the collection comes from the Bibalives store previously on Kings road, but there are also two private collections up for grabs. Andrea Machen of Wellers  who has catalogued the sale says that  they are thrilled to be selling the collection.  Many of the items are very wearable, particularly those from the 1940s onward. Garments range from Edwardian beaded evening dresses to 1940s swing dresses and 1950s prom dresses . There are also full skirted dresses of the 50,s perfect for Rock and Roll dancing and plenty of items from Biba's heyday of the late 60s and 70s.

Vintage fashion is really hot at the moment, this Machen puts down to the publicity received when Kate Moss, Kylie and other celebrities revealed their love of vintage,but it is also she says, a very thoughtful choice. 'Buying Vintage is about choosing  something you can enjoy wearing which could also prove a good investment, and with many looking at the effect on the environment of modern clothes production, vintage offers a chance to indulge yourself without any environmental impact'

For those looking for designer names there are two stylish dresses by Emilio Pucci a late 1950s Christian Dior ensemble , garments by Jean Patou, Hardy Amies, and Yves st Laurant and a wonderful Chanel couture dress and shawl from the 1950s . Estimates range from £30-£50 for a small group of 1950s dresses and go into the hundreds for big designer names, still a fraction of the cost of a new couture dress. Jewellery ranges from Victorian to present day and with handbags  hats and shoes provide the perfect accessories.

Local  students from Guildford and the surrounding areas have modelled many items for the catalogue, these photos titled Country Life, showing dresses from the 1940s -1960s were photographed in the Surrey Hills. Viewing for the sale is on may 30th an 31st  at Wellers surrey Auction House, Guildford Street, Chertsey tel 01932 568678 or see the catalogue on www.wellersauctions.com.