- Colin Firth’s shirt auctions for £25,000
- Estimated value was £7,000-£10,000
- Proceeds go to charity
Millions of viewers worldwide were captivated by Colin Firth as he emerged from a lake while donning a drenched shirt.
Currently, that identical blouse has been acquired at auction in London for £25,000.
Before the transaction, auctioneers estimated its value to be between £7,000 and £10,000.
It is one of over sixty film and television costumes that were auctioned off on Tuesday, with the entire profit going to charity.
The auction also included items including attire adorned by Madonna, Margot Robbie, and Johnny Depp.
The auction, organised by Kerry Taylor Auctions, featured valuable items culled from the archives of Cosprop, the renowned costume house established by the Oscar-winning designer John Bright.
Although the wet shirt scenario was not explicitly depicted in Jane Austen’s novel, that has not prevented it from becoming one of the most iconic television moments of all time.
The scene depicted Mr Darcy (Firth) impromptu swimming in his private lake before sprinting into Elizabeth Bennet, his love interest (Jennifer Ehle) while clinging to his drenched white shirt.
As viewers remained engrossed in the screen, Firth was instantaneously elevated to the status of a sexual icon.
Even on film, the scene has been portrayed similarly, as in the Bridgerton television series and Bridget Jones’ Diary.
Almost three decades later, the now-dry garment was sold.
The sale price of the weapon exceeded the initial estimate by £20,000. With the £5,000 buyer’s premium contributing to the total of £25,000, the entire amount will be donated to charity.
It was among several shirts that were utilised throughout the production process. Taylor, the auctioneer, stated that a third item is still in the Cosprop archive and that one was previously sold for charity at auction.
The auction also featured items such as Madonna’s Christian Dior gala gown from Evita, Drew Barrymore’s costume from Ever After, and Meryl Streep’s dress and cape from The French Lieutenant’s Woman.
Additionally available for purchase were Heath Ledger’s masquerade ball costume from Casanova and Johnny Depp’s costume from Sleepy Hollow.
Additionally, garments from television dramas such as Downton Abbey, Poldark, and Peaky Blinders were destroyed by the hammer.
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The costumes in the collection extend over four centuries of fashion history, from silhouettes of the mid-20th century to those of the fantasy Renaissance.
The auction, according to Taylor, was “a phenomenal opportunity to acquire a piece of film history in the form of attire worn by legendary actors.”
The costumes were donated by Cosprop in support of The Bright Foundation, an arts education charity based in Hastings that was founded and is financially supported by Bright. Its mission is to offer creative opportunities to disadvantaged children and young individuals.
Bright stated, “My entire life has been devoted to costume design for film, television, and the stage.” I hold a strong conviction that the arts and creativity can mould children into individuals who are happier and healthier, while also empowering young people to achieve their utmost capabilities.
Celebrity memorabilia and film and television-related experiences will also be up for bid until March 10 via an online auction. The signed script for Love, which was donated by Richard Curtis and Emma Freud, is included in the inventory of lots.
