In 2006, the young Central St Martins trained, Thai based designer Disaya received a phone call asking if she would lend a dress for a photoshoot to (at that time) the relatively unknown Amy Winehouse.
This request came via Louise Winwood - who was Amy's stylist at the time and was working on the album cover project for Universal Island Records. Although this was Amy's second album, (she was re-launching her career after a break), there was reluctance on the part of many of the leading fashion designers initially approached to assist.
However, Disaya was pleased to help as she was launching her new fashion label in the UK and felt that her young, innovative designs would be a good match for the singer.
The photoshoot took place in the photographer Mischa Richter's house. Louise took over a selection of clothes for Amy to try and they both agreed that this dress suited her best. After the shoot the dress was returned to the designer and carefully stored away in the Disaya archive.
Back to Black went on to sell over 3.2 million copies.
In the light of Amy's tragic and untimely death Disaya the designer, has generously decided that rather than keep the dress in storage - that it should be displayed, sold and the money raised be donated to the Amy Winehouse Foundation.
On what would have been the singer's 28th birthday, Amy's family announced the launch of this charity specially targeted to help vulnerable young people. Her mother Janis said "We want to give money to projects that make a direct difference.
It is a source of great comfort to know that Amy would be proud of this and right behind it". Her father Mitch said "Amy was very generous and we kept coming back to the thought of how much she loved children. It seemed appropriate that the focus of our work should be with young people, those who are vulnerable either through ill health or circumstance."
 Lot 178, The Disaya designed printed chiffon dress worn by Amy |
Fashion Auctioneer Kerry Taylor says "Over the years I have sold many highly valuable couture pieces related to celebrities and style icons including the Duchess of Windsor, Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana.
"In my opinion, what makes this particular dress so special - is that it is an emblematic reminder of the magic voice and sublime talent of Amy Winehouse - a sound that resonates with an entire generation - and always will.
"I am pleased to help raise funds for her charity and encourage fans, the music industry and museums the world over to bid with us on November 29."
This sale could be among the first collectibles auctions to consolidate Amy Winehouse's legacy in the collectibles markets, alongside other tragic stars who died aged 27 including Kurt Cobain and Jim Morrison.
Previous Kurt Cobain sales include his 1953 Martin D-18 guitar. The guitar was purchased by Cobain while on tour, shortly before the release of the seminal 'Nevermind' in 1991. It was later given by Cobain as a gift to singer Mary Lou Lord during their brief relationship, and sold at auction in 2007 for $29,875.
Cobain has previously topped Forbes list of the 'world's top-earning dead celebrities', testament to the posthumous draw rock stars command on the collectibles markets.
Watch this space for more news on Kerry Taylor's Amy Winehouse sale.
