Interview | Christie’s Director of Fashion & Textiles, Patricia Frost

Sandra | February 9, 2010

Sale 5919 – Interiors – 8 December 2009
Lot 255 A burgundy crocodile bag Gucci, circa 1960s
Estimate: £800-1,200 Sold: £1,375

Last month, Gucci and Christie’s announced a unique new service – “Gucci Collector: Presented by Christie’s.” This is the first Gucci-certified online destination for appraising vintage Gucci products. It is such a needed service and I am so thrilled and amazed that Gucci is contributing to the evaluation of vintage Gucci products.

I was lucky enough to secure an interview with Patricia Frost, the Director of Textiles and Fashion at Christie’s. I was eager to ask her about the new service. She was so generous with her time. Here’s what Ms. Frost had to say about Gucci and Christie’s joint effort…

How did the collaboration between Gucci and Christie’s come about?

Christie’s has been holding sales in fashion, textiles, costume and vintage accessories since 1975. Gucci was aware of the specialists sales held at Christie’s, and of our expertise in this field, and approached us with the idea to collaborate in some way in order to provide our clients with a unique service. Gucci Collector evolved from these discussions.

Is Christie’s planning a vintage Gucci collection auction?

A Gucci auction is a distinct possibility. We have had a wonderful response so far through the new GUCCI COLLECTOR service, but we are currently valuing items and so nothing is certain at this early stage.

This is such a generous service. Does Christie’s normally appraise vintage designer pieces in this manner?

Absolutely. Our website (www.christies.com) has an appraisal section where anyone can send us images and descriptions of their pieces, not just for fashion and textiles, but any one of the auction categories we offer. At Christie’s South Kensington we also have a valuation desk which is open 7 days a week.

Gucci is opening a museum in Florence. Will some items be sought for the museum?

Gucci’s archivist is certainly on the look out for interesting, historic pieces that they might wish to acquire for their archives. Whether they will buy items for the museum depends on what is submitted through the Gucci Collector site.

How will the pieces be chosen for auction versus archives? Is Gucci looking for a holy grail for their vintage archives?

Gucci and Christie’s will look at each enquiry together and offer the client alternatives, depending upon their item. The oldest and rarest of items are sure to be of more interest than newer models, but you never know what people may submit.

What are Christie’s and Gucci hoping will be uploaded by people seeking appraisals?

Hopefully we will discover interesting, unusual and exciting pieces that have been hiding in people’s attics for generations!

Will Gucci be buying these directly from people or will everything go to auction?

If there is a piece that Gucci would like for their archives, they will express their interest.

So far, what types of vintage Gucci pieces have been uploaded?

At the moment it is too early to tell as we are still downloading the items which have been submitted – in the first 10 days of offering the Gucci Collector service, we received over 75 appraisal requests. However, I have seen some good 1970s bamboo handled bags among them.

Will Christie’s and/or Gucci provide documentation to the owner of an item’s worth or history?

All our evaluations will be subject to inspection of the actual piece in due course. No evaluation based on photographs alone can be definitive and may be revised upon seeing the item.

I often get questions about the authenticity of designer handbags. What will be done about fraudulent or counterfeit items that are presented to you?

Questions of authenticity can only be examined in person with the bag in front of you.

I have never seen a luxury brand reach out to its consumers like this. Do you anticipate similar collaborations or services with luxury brands?

We at Christie’s are always looking for new and improved ways of meeting our clients needs, and strive to provide a unique and good quality service for all levels of our business. Should the right opportunity arise, further collaborations would not be out of the question.

Luxury brands are notoriously behind when it comes to online marketing and social media. Does Gucci plan on engaging more with its consumers and collectors online?

I can’t answer for Gucci – but this initiative does seem to suggest that they are a very forward looking company.

All images courtesy of Christie’s Images Ltd. 2010