Fans of Cilla Black, one of Britain’s most cherished entertainers, will soon have the chance to own a piece of television history.
A charity auction of 246 of Cilla Black’s most iconic dresses and outfits will take place on Friday 28th November, from 1pm to 4pm, with 100% of proceeds going to Variety, the Children’s Charity.
Hosted by Nesbits Auctions Ltd, the event celebrates the life and legacy of a national treasure whose style and personality defined British entertainment for over five decades.
From her chart-topping hits of the 1960s to her reign as queen of Saturday-night television on Blind Date and Surprise Surprise, Cilla’s wardrobe reflected her exuberant personality and status as a beloved style icon.
Her fashion journey began in the swinging sixties with mod-inspired shift dresses and bold patterns, evolving into glamorous stage gowns and elegant bespoke creations in the 1970s.
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By the 1980s and 1990s, Cilla’s signature blend of approachable glamour and sophistication was evident in structured blazers and sparkling cocktail dresses.
Each item in the collection tells part of Cilla’s story, offering fans and collectors a rare opportunity to experience the magic of her inimitable style.
Her son, Robert Willis, said:
“The clothes and outfits presented in this collection represent a life well lived on the stage and in front of the TV cameras. It’s fair to say that almost every item in this collection was either worn on stage or appeared on TV. My brothers and I felt that the right thing to do now, ten years after our mother’s passing, was to donate the collection to Variety, the Children’s Charity, a wonderful charity which does so many good works and one which our mother happily supported during her lifetime. We sincerely hope that making her collection available to the public will enable them to have something of Cilla’s that played a role in her career and to ultimately benefit disabled and disadvantaged children.”
Laurence Guinness, Chief Executive of Variety, the Children’s Charity, added:
“We are profoundly grateful for this extraordinarily generous donation. The decision to honour Cilla’s memory in this way truly exemplifies the spirit of giving that she herself embodied. Cilla Black was not only a national treasure and a beloved entertainer but also a devoted supporter of Variety, the Children’s Charity. She understood the transformative power of helping young people to reach their potential and she used her celebrity to make a real difference in children’s lives. Every item in this remarkable and precious collection represents a unique moment in British entertainment history and now each piece will go on to create new stories of children receiving vital equipment, accessing specialised care and enjoying opportunities they might never have had otherwise.”
Online viewing opens on 28th October, ahead of the live auction.
More information can be found here.
