LAWRENCES Auctioneers in Crewkerne are pleased to announce the arrival of a new specialist to add to their impressive team.

The auction house has appointed Harriet Cunningham who has followed a passion for fabrics and textiles for many years.

Harriet has a qualification in Fine Art & Printing and in 2005 she opened a small vintage clothing shop in the front of her house in Lyme Regis.

Sublyme Vintage was a treasure trove of antique clothing and offered beautiful 1930s and 1940s dresses, which were relatively easy to find at that time.

In 2012 Harriet moved on to set up a Vintage Clothing department for a Dorset auction house, selling labelled couture clothing for high prices in the collectables market.

“There will always be a market for the top couturiers of the past; their clothes are works of art and becoming rarer by the day,” said Harriet.

“Labels from the early 20th Century, such as Charles Frederick Worth and Elsa Schiaparelli are hugely sought after by the national and international market and such pieces can fetch very high prices.

“Recently, more contemporary designers such as Ossie Clark, Biba and even designers from the 1990s including Comme des Garçons, Issey Miyake and Alexander McQueen have all become very collectable and increasingly valuable.

“It is surprising what may be found in wardrobes, trunks and attics. I hope to make Lawrences a good venue for the sale of quality vintage clothing that does not fit into other auction categories.”

Harriet is currently putting together a collection of clothing, lace, embroideries and tapestries ready for her first collectors’ sale at Lawrences of Crewkerne in November.

She welcomes enquiries about all these items on 01460-73041.