Introducing our Team – Ida Combley

From Fine Arts to Fashion

Ida is yet another of the Theodore Bruce team with a background in the arts. She completed a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies at Sydney University with an Honours in Painting, producing a body of work and a thesis on Australian & international feminist art. Whilst at university, Ida was approached by a family friend to catalogue a former art dealer’s collection, which led to her own business.

“I naturally fell into it. I got a call from someone I knew to help catalogue some of their artwork, and ended up managing their full collection. It spread by word of mouth and I ran that business for about two years, before closing it to focus on my Honours.”

After university, Ida travelled around Europe solo for four months, to discover art… and fashion.

“I visited a lot of museums, and also archival fashion collections. One was Pretty Box in Paris, an appointment-only boutique which dresses a lot of models for fashion week. I also went to Cher Sarah, which is a massive vintage designer store. You have to wear gloves when you go in, and they have designers’ original sketches. I visited the vintage designer shops in Florence, and the flea markets in Paris. Before I went away I had started to grow my own vintage fashion collection, and Paris and Florence are the mecca of vintage designer fashion.”

Back in Australia, a friend forwarded a job advertisement for an Auction Assistant at Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers. Ida applied, and joined us soon afterwards. She has now taken hold of the fashion department whilst Sally Hardy, Company Co-Director and Head of Fine Art & Fashion, focuses on fine art auctions.

Behind the Scenes in a Fashion Auction House

Managing vintage and designer fashion auctions involves a mix of tasks, from consignments to cataloguing and customer liaison.

“The starting point of my job is taking in consignments. I meet with clients and let them know what we’re looking for. From there we take the consignment, check to make sure the items are in good condition, and for a luxury auction, authenticate each piece. I also catalogue, photograph and price items based on market value.”

Theodore Bruce fashion auctions typically stay online for two weeks, with bidding available as soon as the auction catalogue is online. During that time, Ida sometimes provides videos for our Marketing Manager, modelling clothing and accessories for Instagram reels. At the close of each auction, she prepares invoices and ensures clients are in contact with our shipping department where required.

“I love working in and buying from fashion auctions,” says Ida. “I enjoy meeting so many different types of people and helping vendors, particularly with estate auctions. I also love how unpredictable auctions can be. You can have an item you don’t think is worth much and the bidding will go crazy. At the other end, you can grab something for an absolute steal.”

Pictured: Stephen Dattner, Australia: Cream Long Sheepskin Above the Knee Coat, c. 1970s

Collecting Vintage Fashion

Ida’s passion for vintage fashion grew from her love of fine art.

“I was never a fashion person growing up. After college, I started to see fashion as an extension of art, as political and reflective of society. I think there are a lot of similarities between art and fashion, how they are assessed critically for instance, via line, shape and form, and what creators are trying to convey.

“I got into fashion because I remember not liking contemporary clothes. I started looking back into fashion archives, and that’s when I fell in love with fashion. First it was Chanel, then Jean Paul Gaultier – I loved how he was subversive and so expressive – and that’s when I started collecting vintage fashion.”

While the first designer item Ida bought was a 1990’s Gaultier Mesh Tattoo Top – “I found it online for a ridiculously cheap price” – she’s often drawn to luxury handbags, with one of her first being a 2004 Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakani pochette. She now has bags by Dior and Paco Rabanne, and most recently, a Louis Vuitton Alma Bag in Vernis leather.

“That was a dream bag. I love the Vernis leather, which is interesting and timeless. The way it catches the light is beautiful. One reason I collect handbags is because they’re like a sculpture. I also don’t like to spend extreme amounts on designer clothes, and handbags will always fit!”

Pictured: Louis Vuitton, France: Burgundy ‘Brea MM’ Monogram Vernis Handbag

Favourite buys from Theodore Bruce include a gorgeous 1970s sheepskin coat from a vintage fashion auction last September (pictured above), and a pair of vintage Dior pants. “They were a Christmas present for my mum, and I had to battle another bidder” she says, laughing.

Vintage and designer fashion auctions provide a wonderful opportunity to acquire rare and interesting clothing, shoes and accessories, often with very low estimates. One thing that can push prices up extensive interest in a single piece. “I did miss out on a pair of Dior knee high boots,” says Ida. “They were stunning and they fit like a dream. I bid to my maximum and then had to ask a friend to take my phone away!”

Any other regrets? “I’m haunted by the fact I didn’t buy a Chanel belt we had recently. It was a chain and leather belt from the 1990’s, the period that made me fall in love with fashion. I knew I couldn’t afford, but it pained me to give it away.”

Pictured: Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, France: Gold-Plated & Lambskin Leather Chain Belt, ‘C’ Logo, c. 1990s

Discovering Fashion at Auction   

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers offers regular fashion auctions for women and men – including Luxury and Designer clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories, as well as Vintage Fashion from the 1920’s through the 20th century.

Please also see our blog, The Rise and Rise of Vintage Fashion to discover the merits of buying second hand – from uncovering high quality and one-of-a-kind garments and accessories, to supporting sustainability by joining the recycled fashion movement.

To stay informed of new fashion auctions, please join our newsletter via the link below, follow us on Instagram or keep an eye on Upcoming Auctions.

Pictured: Christian Louboutin, France: Beige, Orange & Black Snakeskin ‘Viveka’ Peeptoe Heels, SS 14