Olivia Dell Textile Collection in Mallams’ 27th September Country House Sale

Olivia Dell’s love of textiles began back in the 1970s, when she created wedding dresses and bespoke fashion designs using antique lace and vintage materials. Her innovative creations soon caught the attention of the fashion world, selling to the glitterati in London, Amsterdam, New York and Florida, with the King of Jordan’s sister and pop star Lulu amongst her clients.

In 1974 she opened her first shop ‘Cocoa Designs’ in a wonderful period building in Montpellier, Cheltenham, and this was a great success, with many TV appearances and write ups in magazines.

As her love of textiles and antiques grew, she sold her business, and began to travel the world seeking out rare and beautiful fabrics, beads, and much more, and created exquisite interior furnishings. The late Robert Kime, interior designer, was one of her favourite customers.

Istanbul, which she visited for many years, became her spiritual home, and she formed lifelong friendships with dealers in the city who sold eastern textiles. It was here she sourced the material for Johnny Depp’s sash in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Now retired, Olivia has entrusted Mallams to auction her beautiful lifetime treasures, in the hope that others will enjoy owning them as much as she has. 

Items featured in the sale include:-

Lot 201: A Turkish, woven silk dress with green ground, woven flowers and handmade panels, estimated at £80-£120.

Lot 213:  A sprigged purple silk coat from Tadjik, with Russian print lining and ikat reveres and cuffs, estimated at £100-£200.

Lot 223: A sampler bed cover from Uzbekistan, made from scraps of old silk chapans, mostly pre-1900. Measuring 24cm x 226cm, it is estimated at £80-£120.

Lot 225: A large red ground suzani, also from Uzbekistan circa 1940. Woven with coffee pots and carnations, it measures 285cm x 228cm and is estimated at £200-£300.

If you would like to find out more about the Olivia Dell collection, featured in the Country House Sale on 27^th September, please contact Robin Fisher at robin@mallams.co.uk or call the Cheltenham saleroom on 01242 235712.