I’ve kept an old sequin dress around for decades – Antiques Roadshow said the person who wore it once makes it worth $8k

A HAIRDRESSER was shocked to discover a dress he was gifted decades ago is now worth thousands of dollars.

An appraiser for Antiques Roadshow smiled with excitement after learning about the designer who made the dress , and the famous woman who had worn it

PBS

PBS

PBS

PBS

A man was stunned to discover that a vintage, beaded silk gown he had received as a gift from a famous actress was worth far more than he initially thought.

The gown, designed in 1982 by fashion icon Bob Mackie, was originally worn by Brooke Shields during the Broadway revival of Grease.

Shields started out as a child model and actress and is known for her early films, such as Pretty Baby, The Blue Lagoon, and Endless Love.

She also starred in several TV series, including Suddenly Susan, Lipstick Jungle, and Jane the Virgin.

“I acquired this from a client of mine…I’m a hairdresser,” the man said.

He explained that he had worked with Shields in New York City , on the Broadway production of Grease.

“At the end of her run of that show, she surprised me by coming [into] the dressing room, and she pulled this gown out and told me if I could fit into it and wear it before she left the show, I could have it,” he explained.

The dress’s owner told the appraiser , Steven Porterfield, that Shields knew he “did a lot of benefits” for organizations like Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and that she believed the dress could be used to “encourage more donations” to the fund.

The hairdresser explained that he took Shields up on her unique offer during the very last night of the show.

“At curtain call, I got dressed up….all dressed up in her dress, and much to her surprise, gave her a beautiful bouquet of white flowers,” he revealed.

Shields was “kind enough” to autograph the dress for him, the man shared, and revealed that he was able to secure another major autograph just a few weeks later.

“I [later] met Bob Mackie at another benefit, and he autographed the dress for me as well,” the man shared.

Bob Mackie is a fashion designer and costumier known for dressing entertainment icons like Cher , Lucille Ball, Tina Turner, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Marilyn Monroe, Elton John , Whitney Houston, and Diana Ross.

“Bob also offered to send me a copy of the sketch that he had done for the gown originally,” he added, showing the appraiser a sketch of Shields wearing the iconic dress.

Antiques Roadshow best finds

Antiques Roadshow has helped people put a price on their treasures since 1979. Here are some of the most interesting finds

• A hand-me-down ring that had been in the family for generations was valued at $595,000
• A silver coin found on a farm is worth $30,000
• A Rolex that cost just $120 is now worth $45,000
• The portrait of a woman’s mother at four years old and its frame was worth $32,000
• A book of hymns that was kept in a basement was worth $50,000
• A rare sculpture bought at a flea market in 1961 was worth $100,000
• An antique floor lamp from an estate sale was worth $15,000
• A mobile from the 1940s was worth a whopping $2 million
• A tablecloth drawn on by a baseball legend was worth $1,500
• A Picasso plate that hung above an oven was worth $15,000

Porterfield, who works at The Cat’s Meow in Midland, Texas , was eager to learn more about what it was like working with Shields.

The hairdresser revealed she was “absolutely one of the most charming, professional, and giving people I have ever worked with.”

He added that despite being “down-to-earth,” she was always trying to “make herself better in the role.”

Porterfield examined the dress, noting that Mackie is a “legend in the business.”

“He did the Carol Burnett show…Cher was one of his biggest customers,” Porterfield said.

“Dolly Parton said Bob Mackie made her look beautiful and feel like a lady because he was so incredible,” Porterfield added.

Porterfield described the gown’s unique features to its owner, explaining Mackie’s use of “bugle beads…in almost like a diamond shape,” was unique and ahead of its time.

“So you get many different qualities to the depth of the gown because of how he fashioned the beadwork,” Porterfield revealed.

Mackie’s nickname, “The Sultan of Sequins,” was well-earned.

“Well, just being a Bob Mackie gown, a gown like this sells on the secondary market for $1,000 to $1,500,” Porterfield revealed.

However, he noted that the two autographs – from Shields and Mackie – along with Mackie’s sketch, made the piece a “wonderful part of fashion history.”

Despite some wear and tear from the dress and Shield’s autograph quickly fading, the hairdresser was astounded to learn the actual value of the dress.

“So at auction, I would believe that this would probably bring in $7,500,” Porterfield revealed.

The man raised his eyebrows and began to laugh.

“That’s pretty amazing,” he said.

“Isn’t that a great gift?” Porterfield asked.

“That’s the best gift ever – thanks Brooke,” the hairdresser shared.

Valuable thrifting finds revealed

Here are some of the best thrift store finds:

• Tiffany & Co. earrings that sold for $0.34 and are valued at $430
• American Girl doll that sold for $5.99 and is valued at $300
• Bionicle toy that sold for $14.95 and is valued at $18.101
• Gold record plaque for DJ Quik’s 1992 album Way 2 Fonky that sold for @20 and is valued at $200
• Rothy’s brand Sugared Berry pointed-toe flats that sold for $155 retail and are valued at $250

PRICEY PRESENTS

Many of the pieces that appear on Antiques Roadshow are fortunate finds.

However, some items are gifted to their current owners, who are later shocked to discover their true worth .

A Miami realtor was astonished to find that a blue-and-white striped vase he received as a thank-you gift for selling his first condo was worth more than the condo itself.

Another man shared that he had no idea the watch his uncle gave him as a teenager turned out to be a Rolex— and worth a small fortune.

PBS

PBS