Dress to thrill like Bond

Pierce Brosnan's costumes from James Bond films are being auctioned in London, writes MICHAEL PARSONS

FANCY DRESSING like an Irish 007? An Italian suit worn by Navan man Pierce Brosnan as James Bond is being auctioned online in London.

The charcoal wool suit, made by Brioni, is among items in a charity auction at Christie’s titled “50 Years of James Bond” featuring memorabilia from the films.

Brosnan, who has since been replaced by actor Daniel Craig in the role, played the British secret agent in four of the film franchise’s titles: GoldenEye (1995); Tomorrow Never Dies (1997); The World Is Not Enough (1999); and Die Another Day (2002).

Christie’s said the suit worn by Brosnan in The World Is Not Enough has a single-breasted jacket with “the Brioni signature silk lining” and that “the trousers have turn-ups”.

The choice of an Italian brand, rather than a bespoke garment from Savile Row, may have upset traditionalists but the outfit is completed by a blue cotton shirt and a navy silk tie, both labelled Turnbull Asser, and a pair of black leather, monk-strap shoes by Church’s – two brands regarded as quintessentially English. The lot has a pre-sale top estimate of €3,400.

This could be a bargain as made-to-measure Brioni suits can cost €10,000 and more. The made-to-measure service is not available in Ireland but a spokesman for Dublin menswear retailer Louis Copeland said their shops at Capel St and Pembroke St sell off-the-peg Brioni suits with prices “from €2,900”.

He described Brosnan, “who has been a customer” in the past, as “the type of man who can wear anything and look fantastic”.

A casual outfit worn by Brosnan as Bond in Die Another Day is expected to sell for at least €2,300 and consists of a tan suede jacket (chest size 42 inches), matching trousers, a brown leather gilet, grey cotton shirt, a charcoal knitted crew-neck, va brown leather belt labelled Polo Ralph Lauren and a pair of brown leather and canvas lace-up boots by Kurt Geiger.

In 2003, Brosnan who grew up in Co Meath but now lives in California, was awarded an honorary OBE by Queen Elizabeth in recognition of his “contribution to drama and the British film industry”. Explaining the honour, the then British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Brosnan’s portrayal of 007 in four Bond films “added style and glamour to the image of Britain overseas”.

A Christie’s spokeswoman said the auction features “memorabilia from every Bond film ever made”. The highest price expected at the auction is for a 2008 Aston Martin 6 Litre V12 DBS two-door coupé used by Daniel Craig in Quantum of Solace.

Proceeds from the auction will benefit Barnardos, Unicef and other charities.

Online bidding on the lots end on Monday evening next, October 8th.