Couture fashion lovers with renowned collector Charlotte Smith set to sell 4,000 pieces from her exquisite collection – the biggest in the southern hemisphere.
Melissa Hoyer
Renowned fashion collector Charlotte Smith is selling her vintage fashion collection, with 4,000 pieces up for grabs including original Dior, Chanel, Valentino, Prada and Alexander McQueen.
Charlotte, who boasts the biggest couture fashion collection in the southern hemisphere, is giving high-end fashion lovers, designers and collectors a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get their hands on rare and original gowns, clothes, jewellery and accessories from across history.
Smith holds thousands of pieces of vintage, which span over 250 years of fashion. Priced from just $50 to $2,000+ for rare items, the collection will be available for sale at vintage and artisan emporium Dirty Janes in both their Bowral (from 21 March) and Canberra stores (from 12 April).
Dirty Janes Bowral will house the contemporary pieces which includes designer pieces from the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, while Dirty Janes in Canberra will look to focus on those delicate and fragile garments from the Victorian-era – a reference item for fashion designers and students.
The collection, which began with an inheritance from her Quaker godmother Doris Darnell in 2004, has flourished under Charlotte’s custodianship. Spanning from the mid-1800s to the 1980s, it has been the subject of acclaimed exhibitions and lectures worldwide.The collection will contribute to the ‘Hope on a Hanger’ project, which aims to raise funds for Pop-In, a hub for women and children impacted by Domestic Violence and Abuse in the Wingecarribee Shire.
The vast selection will launch at a special opening night gala at Dirty Janes in Bowral on Friday March 21, 2025, with Charlotte, author of “Dreaming of Dior” and “Dreaming of Chanel,” presenting her favourite pieces. Owner and founder of Dirty Janes, Jane Crowley, has also been collecting donations of fashion and accessories for sale at this event with all proceeds from ‘Hope on a Hanger’ going directly to Pop-In.
The brand will also donate a percentage of weekend sales store-wide to the charity. “Charlotte’s extraordinary collection, paired with our ‘Hope on a Hanger’ initiative, offers our community a unique opportunity to both acquire pieces of fashion history, all while supporting women and children in our community who have been threatened or impacted by domestic violence and abuse in our region,” Jane said.
The opening night gala on Friday, 21st March, will feature addresses by Charlotte Smith, Pop-In, and Dirty Janes’ Jane Crowley.
Tickets start at $10 for the evening, with 100% of ticket sales going to Pop-In.
“This landmark event represents a unique opportunity for fashion enthusiasts, collectors, and conscious consumers to acquire pieces from a historically significant collection while supporting women and children in our community,” Jane said.
DETAILS:
When: Opening Night: Friday 21st March
Where: Dirty Janes Bowral, 13 Banyette Street, Bowral
Tickets: By donation starting at $10, https://events.humanitix.com/dirty-janes-ode-to-fashion
All ticket proceeds to Pop-In.
