In this video, Bonnie Tyler and Arielle Dombasle celebrate the glamour, femininity, and vibrant voice of Dame Shirley Bassey. Both singers have been inspired by the legendary Welsh-born British singer, whose immensely successful career spans seven decades. For the first time at auction, Dame Shirley Bassey is offering cherished pieces from her jewellery and watch collection.
“Collecting jewellery for me is like collecting memories, and this collection is full of them. All the pieces are meaningful and have a story to tell, whether I bought them for myself, or they were gifted to me.” - Dame Shirley Bassey.
The renowned vocalist, honoured with a Grammy Hall of Fame Award, has a career unparalleled in longevity, success, and prestige in British music history. She has been collecting jewellery since she was young, and each piece in the auction represents a particular moment in Dame Shirley Bassey’s life, often marking special episodes in her illustrious career.
The collection will be auctioned in Paris this autumn as part of Sotheby’s Fine Jewels, and comprises over eighty pieces spanning various styles from prestigious brands including Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels. Nearly all of the pieces feature diamonds – the gemstone most associated with Dame Shirley Bassey since she first sang the famous James Bond theme song "Diamonds Are Forever" in 1971 - a song that has been a staple in her concerts ever since. Notably, she is the only singer in the world to have recorded more than one Bond theme: Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker between 1964 and 1979.
The live auction will take place in Paris on 10 October 2024.
