You'll Never Believe How Much Wallis Simpson’s Nightdress Made At Auction...

The never-before-seen piece sells for record figure...

Wallis Simpson may have made headlines as the married American who charmed Edward VIII, but she also gained a reputation for her famously lavish taste and incredible couture collection. So when a piece of her wardrobe comes up for auction, it’s no surprise that it attracts some seriously high bids.

Yesterday, UK-based auctioneer Kerry Taylor sold a stunning pink chiffon nightdress once owned by Simpson for a staggering £800.

According to the auctioneer, the beautifully made nightdress is so sheer there was nowhere to put a label, but experts say the delicate item is definitely French couture and even still bears a faint whiff of perfume.

Curiously, contents of the home Wallis occupied with Edward were originally bought by former Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed. He bought the contents of their home on the Bois de Bologne, in Paris, when the Duchess died in 1986 but later sold much of it in 1998.

Auctioneer Miss Taylor said: "Things like this are very rare and this is a very personal item…. It's incredibly beautiful, transparent, super feminine, bias cut and very slinky. Wallis Simpson had the very best bed linen and lingerie. Everything was the best of its kind, the best money could buy".

She continued: "She didn't have a lot to fill her time so shopping was a major occupation for her. To the outside world she seemed incredibly elegant, but it was quite a hard elegance. This nightdress shows the more vulnerable, softer, seductive side of Wallis Simpson. She used to say 'I'm not beautiful but I dress to make sure everyone looks at me and my husband and feel proud'.

Designer Roland Mouret neatly summed up our eternal fascination with Wallis when he said: "Love or hate her, the world is still obsessed by that woman." And is clearly prepared to blow £800 on a negligee.

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