Diamond-Studded Top on the Auction Block

By JCK Online Staff -- JCK Online, 10/4/2007 9:37:00 AM

The $1.4 million diamond-studded top unveiled in February during Milan Fashion Week will go on the auction block in Dubai in mid December.

The top was created by the late renowned fashion designer Gianfranco Ferré in a joint effort with diamond company and DTC sightholder Dalumi. It concluded Ferré's women’s collection for fall/winter 2007/2008. Matched with black tuxedo pants and a black silk cape, the outfit was worn on the runway by British rock singer Skin.

More than 900 diamonds weighing more than 300 cts. were stitched in curved horizontal rows across a sheer black vest. The diamonds were of G color and VS and higher clarity and were set in white-gold studs. A single Ferré employee hand-stitched each diamond onto the fabric.

The glittering top was displayed in jewelry shows around the world, including BaselWorld, The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Watch Fair, and the Forevermark DTC event in Tokyo.

Dalumi, in a statement said placing the top up for auction is the logical next step. The auction is scheduled for mid-December in Dubai. No other details were released.

"All the world will have the possibility to admire the wonderful top," the statement read.

Ferré, who died June 17 of a massive brain hemorrhage, spoke about his love of diamonds in a story that appeared in the May issue of JCK.

“The diamond has a place in everyday life, obviously, as long as there is no loss of style, no pointless ostentation,” he said. “In my opinion, the diamond has all the natural allure and personality necessary for always making the difference, for adding a truly special touch. Even in the case of a simple white shirt and pair of jeans.”