As a Gen Z born in the year 2000, Cilla Black is not a name that springs to mind when I think British fashion icon.
At 25, my mind immediately flicks to Molly-Mae or Kate Moss, while Cilla is someone my parents used to watch on TV when they were my age.
Having launched her music career in the 1960s before becoming a prime-time television host (I discovered when googling her), the star’s wardrobe was full of loud patterns, bright skirt suits and lavish ballgowns – nothing I would opt for on a night out.
That said, I jumped at the chance to try on some of her most iconic pieces, figuring it would be fun to see what I look like dressed in a different era.
To my surprise, the Blind Date host’s wardrobe is full of hidden gems, from enviable (and trending!) fur jackets to Christmas party dresses and jumpsuits I would snap up if spotting them in Zara or H&M.
Even the clothes I wasn’t immediately drawn to were undeniably glamorous and made me feel as though I’d transported back in time to a night in the Swinging Sixties.
More than 240 of Cilla’s pieces are going up for auction on November 28 to raise money for Variety – a children’s charity very close to the star’s heart – and with prices starting at £20, there really is something for everyone in the haul.
Her family decided to donate the collection to mark the 10th anniversary of Cilla’s death in 2015 aged 72.
Cilla Black’s iconic dress – a velvet ballgown which she wore to the Royal Variety Performance in 1969 – is tried on by Daily Mail news reporter Katherine Lawton (pictured). Price at auction: £350-£550
More than 240 of Cilla’s pieces are going under the hammer this month, including her iconic blue velvet dress
Cilla Black (pictured) performs at the Royal Variety show in 1969, wearing a Jean Varon/ John Bates design. Held at the London Palladium, the event was the first Royal Variety show to be broadcast on British television in colour
A Cilla 1960s/70s white, sleeveless dress trimmed with pink ostrich feathers. Price at auction: £200-£300
Cilla wore a similar outfit on the ‘Cilla’ show, performing ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’ in 1968
A Cilla 1960s/70s white ribbed dress trimmed with dramatic pink ostrich feathers on the collar
With Christmas party season around the corner, those wanting to shock their friends and colleagues with a daring look this year could get their hands on a vintage Cilla for less than £50 – and they’re not pieces you can find on the high street.
First, I was keen to try on what I learnt is Cilla’s most iconic dress – a bespoke velvet ballgown which she wore to the Royal Variety Performance in 1969.
The star sang a medley of songs to an audience which included Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip and Ann, Princess Royal.
Held at the London Palladium, the star-studded event was the first Royal Variety show to be broadcast on British television in colour.
Featuring bold turquoise fabric, structured shoulders and dramatic feather sleeves embellished with a silver, sequinned under-layer, this dress would undeniably turn heads at any party.
Although I probably wouldn’t wear it myself, I could appreciate its glamour and just putting it on made me feel like a star.
The most expensive gown in the collection, the dress was designed by Jean Varon and John Bates and is going under the hammer for a starting price of £350.
The second gown I tried – my personal favourite – was a blue sequin chiffon dress that I would be very tempted to buy if seeing it on the high street.
The 1970s dress, which is being auctioned in a bundle of other evening wear from just £60, is still fashionable today and would probably be the prettiest dress at the Christmas party.
Cilla wore the blue gown in her 1979 music video for her cover of ‘Bright Eyes’.
A 1970s sequin chiffon dress in Cilla’s wardrobe. It is being auctioned in a bundle with other vintage items. Price at auction: £60-£80
This dress is one of the cheapest gowns in the collection, beating high street prices by going from just £60 at auction
Cilla wore the blue gown in her 1979 music video for her cover of ‘Bright Eyes’
In the music video, Cilla sits among a group of children holding rabbits as she performs the moving song
A 1970s sequin bodycon dress in Cilla’s collection. The star wore a similar gown during a television performance in 1973. Price at auction: £70-£100
Cilla performs during a television performance in 1973, wearing a dazzling green sequin gown
This dress was extremely hard to get into due to its un-stretchy fabric and delicate sequins
A 1970s sequin bodycon dress in Cilla’s extensive collection gowns, jumpsuits, skirts, jackets and other items
Another iconic – and very out there – gown I tried was a 1960s/70s white, sleeveless dress trimmed with elaborate, pink ostrich feathers.
By far the most comfortable of all the gowns, I was surprised by how much I liked the dress on, even if it did make me feel like a bride.
Cilla wore a similar outfit on the ‘Cilla’ show, performing ‘You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling’ in 1968.
She was a fan of feathered clothes, seen wearing them on countless occasions over the years.
Going under the hammer for a starting price of £200 this month, this vintage Jean Varon/John Bates design is a steal and could be worn as a wedding dress by anyone wanting to shock their guests.
The next piece I reached for was a yellow sequin gown worn by the singer on the ‘Cilla’ show broadcast (Cilla Black & Sasha Distel, Ein Rendezvous en Berlin) in November 1971.
Auctioned from just £70, the unlabelled dress reminded me of something Kate Middleton might wear to an event today.
With yellow being one of my worst colours, I wouldn’t buy this dress myself, but would envy anyone who showed up wearing it.
The fifth and final dress I tried was the most difficult to get into, made of fabric that felt as tight as skin and adorned with thousands of delicate sequins.
I was drawn to the dress due its colours, and it reminded me of some of the gowns Taylor Swift has worn to various music events over the years.
The daring dress is going under the hammer from just £70, beating high street prices, and dates back to the 1970s.
Cilla can be seen wearing a very similar piece during a television performance in 1973.
A yellow sequin gown worn by the singer on the ‘Cilla’ show broadcast (Cilla Black & Sasha Distel, Ein Rendezvous en Berlin) in November 1971. Price at auction: £70-£100
A yellow sequin gown worn by the star on the ‘Cilla’ show in November 1971. Price at auction: £70
More than 240 of Cilla’s pieces are going up for auction on November 28 to raise money for Variety
Cilla can be seen wearing this dress during the ‘Cilla’ show on February 17, 1976. Price at auction: £70-£100
Cilla can be seen wearing the Biba playsuit included in 1966/1967. Price at auction: £80-£120
Cilla wore this jumpsuit during the ITV Surprise, Surprise episode featuring Christopher Biggins in 1984. Price at auction: £100-£200
Cilla at the Royal Variety Performance in London on November 26, 2001
Cilla shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Variety Performance in London on November 26, 2001
Cilla in 1963, the year she launched her music career, having impressed Cavern Club officials and The Beatles when she participated in impromptu performances at the Mathew Street venue
Every penny of the auction’s proceeds will support disadvantaged and disabled children across the UK.
Hosted by Nesbits Auctions Ltd, the sale will celebrate the life and legacy of Cilla, who defined British entertainment for more than five decades.
Laurence Guinness, Chief Executive of Varity, said: ‘She was a big supporter of Variety, a huge fan of our work.
‘She recognised the fact that whatever decades we’ve been through, disabled children have always had a hard time, and disabled children from low-income families have an even harder time of it.
‘After the tragic events of Cilla’s passing, her children preserved all her clothing. They put it all in storage because it was too good.
‘Cilla loved her clothes; she loved her fashion. She had an iconic look, and they catalogued her wardrobe, which was an incredible testament to her style and fashion sense.’
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 glamour was recognisable for the millions who knew her.
Growing up in the Scotland Road area of Liverpool, the star began her music career in 1963, having impressed Cavern Club officials and The Beatles when she participated in impromptu performances while working as a cloakroom attendant at the Mathew Street venue.
She was best known for songs including Anyone Who Had a Heart and You’re My World, boasting 11 top ten hits by the end of the 1960s.
In the next decade she transitioned to television, hosting popular shows Blind Date and Surprise, Surprise.
On August 1, 2015, it was announced the star had died at the age of 72, having suffered a fall at her villa in Spain.
You can browse and register for the auction here.
