Dior Handbag Discovered in Charity Shop Fetches Nearly £8,000 at Auction
A rare Christian Dior saddle bag, purchased for a modest sum at a charity shop, has sold for £7,870 at auction.
A shopper in the Cotswolds has achieved a significant return on a Christian Dior handbag, originally bought for approximately £80 from a charity shop and subsequently auctioned for £7,870. The bag, identified as a limited-edition John Galliano creation for Dior's autumn/winter 2003 collection, was described by auctioneers as a 'Holy Grail' for collectors.
The seller, who wished to remain anonymous, purchased the saddle bag for its aesthetic appeal without knowing its authenticity or value. Auction house Kinghams, based in Moreton-in-Marsh, Cotswolds, authenticated the item and estimated its value between £800 and £1,200. However, the bag's rarity and desirability sparked a bidding war, far exceeding initial expectations.
A spokesperson for Kinghams noted the bag's status among collectors due to its limited production. Sophie Osborne, Kinghams' designer goods specialist, called the find "extraordinary" and "possibly the find of my career," highlighting the remarkable outcome of the auction.
John Galliano served as the creative director for Christian Dior from 1996 to 2011, known for his distinctive and innovative designs during his tenure.