Watch: First look at designer clothes Linda Kiely will auction to raise €150k for charity

More than 250 designer pieces are going up for sale for charity - at prices ranging from €29 to €2,000 - from the stylish wardrobe of Cork businesswoman Linda Kiely.

Cillian Moloney and Cait McGettigan, of Luxury Exchange, with some of the items from the Linda Kiely collection that they will be selling for charity on July 18. Picture: Larry Cummins

Fashion-lovers across the country are marking this Saturday, July 18, in their diaries as the private clothing collection of one of Ireland’s most successful – and stylish – businesswomen goes on sale.

Cork woman Linda Kiely, who alongside husband Dan co-founded global customer-experience company Voxpro, is parting with more than 250 designer pieces from her timeless and eclectic wardrobe. All proceeds from the sale will go to charities close to the couple’s hearts.

The collection, which has been built up over decades, includes pieces from brands such as Dior, Balmain, Chanel, Tom Ford, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana. It is being handled through Cork-based pre-loved platform, Luxury Exchange, who aren’t taking any commission for the sale. Pieces will undergo expert in-house authentication as well as third-party authentication software.

Successful businesswoman Linda Kiely, pictured with husband Dan, is parting with more than 250 designer pieces from her timeless and eclectic wardrobe, aiming to raise at least €150,000 for charities

Luxury Exchange co-founders Cait McGettigan and Cillian Moloney are arranging a series of curated drops for the sale. The first release will be the summer edit at a one-day pop-up at Studio 10, Wicklow Street, Dublin, on July 18 between 11am and 7pm.

For fans of timeless fashion, this is an event simply not to be missed, as Cait explains.

“The thing about this collection – and anybody who has seen Linda’s style will not be surprised – is that every piece is a stand-out piece. We have no basics here! Everything is incredible and so true to Linda’s style. There are no trend pieces... they’re all real classics.”

The first release will include more than 250 pieces with a total value of more than €50,000. From blazers to ballgowns, resort-wear to runway items, there’s something for everyone, and to suit every budget: pieces are priced from €29 to €2,000, a fraction of their original values. Shoppers can also look forward to a fun, welcoming experience at the event.

Cait continues: “When you go into a lot of these (designer brand) stores, it’s like a museum. And people who love fashion might go in and not actually feel like they can enjoy the excitement of a piece because they feel judged or uncomfortable. We have the ability to sell these amazing pieces with our own spin and that is fun, it’s excitement, it’s happiness”.

Fun, excitement, and happiness are evident throughout the colourful pieces in Linda’s collection. For her husband, Dan, the clothes evoke fond memories.

“There’s so much history and stories around all of the pieces. Linda is one of the most inspiring people I’ve ever met in my life... Her style has always been something that’s defined her, not just her business acumen. She could read a balance sheet faster than anyone I know, but her style is just unique. She’s always walked into a room and stood out.”

Linda and Dan decided to part with the collection, as Dan explains, ”for other people to be able to wear them, to have the joy of wearing such beautiful iconic pieces that tell a story, and to do good for charities that are dear to us”.

Some of the Items from Linda Kiely's collection on a rail ahead of the charity sale on July 18. Picture: Larry Cummins

100% of net proceeds from the sale will be split between two charities, My Lovely Horse and St Luke’s Home in Cork.

“St Luke’s cared for Linda’s family with real warmth, and My Lovely Horse Rescue is a cause we’ve admired for a long time,” says Dan.

With the rare and highly distinctive nature of many of the pieces on offer, Dan anticipates that the pop-ups will raise a lot of money for the causes. “I will be very surprised if the proceeds of this will be anything less than €150,000.”

Many of the pieces have stories attached to them. A cream Fendi three-piece suit worn by Linda to meet then-Prince Charles and Camilla at a dinner in the Crawford Art Gallery in Cork made a rather dramatic impression, as Dan recounts.

“It was a sunny day. No air conditioning. We were in there for an hour-and-a-half and Linda said to me, ‘I’m going to faint’. I look at the outfit and I can see why because it’s heavy. There’s a cape effect to it and palazzo trousers and another jacket underneath it.”

Cait McGettigan (left) models a Tom Ford white fringe two-piece (shoes are model's own - not part of the collection). Ali wears Prada diamante heels and a Dolce & Gabbana blazer-style dress. Picture: Larry Cummins

The royal couple arrived at the venue and the Kielys were next in line to meet them. “Charles came up,” Dan continues, “and Linda’s nails were kind of digging into me. Charles put his hand out and she literally fainted in front of his eyes in that outfit. I actually thought he was going to faint as well, he got such a shock!”

The Fendi suit isn’t the only piece in the collection with a royal connection. The stunning gold Jenny Packham dress made famous by Kate Middleton when she wore it to a Bond film premiere in 2021 is a real highlight of the sale. Dan believes that Linda wore it better.

“It was for my 60th birthday,” he recalls, “and our friend Nicole Scherzinger had agreed to sing for me at the party... she came down from the stage to our table and sang Goldfinger into Linda’s face.”

The memories don’t stop there. A Tom Fendi white-fringed two-piece was worn at Richard Branson’s hotel in the mountains of Marrakech at a dinner where the Kielys met actress Bo Derek and singer Lady Gaga’s mother, Cynthia Germanotta.

Another suit was gleefully admired by Michelle Obama (“one of her handlers was there,” says Dan, “and they said, ‘I just want to make sure you’re okay with hugging. Michelle doesn’t do handshakes, she hugs!’”).

Tennis legend Roger Federer loved a black backless Roberto Cavalli gown and remembered it at subsequent meetings. And when meeting their friend, actress Joan Collins for lunch at Claridge’s in a black and white Dolce & Gabbana suit, Linda found herself at the receiving end of one of the Dynasty star’s trademark witticisms: “Darling, growling in animal print, I see!”

“These pieces have given me so much joy over the years,” says Linda. “Clothes are never just clothes to me. They are part of how I step into the world, into work, into celebrations, and into all the ordinary days in between.

“I have loved these pieces and the memories attached to them, but it feels right now that they should have another life. I hope whoever finds something in the collection wears it with joy, and I am very happy that the sale will support two causes that mean so much to our family.”

After the July launch, a second sale is planned for August, when selected bags from Linda’s collection will be sold through a live TikTok auction with Luxury Exchange.

For anyone wishing to view the clothing in person – or purchase some of the pieces – however, the July 18 pop-up will be the place to be.

Cait McGettigan recommends that shoppers get there early on the day to avoid disappointment, as she concludes: “If you love fashion, you’re welcome! Try on pieces, take photos, enjoy and experience the items because everyone should just come and have a good time.

“If you love fashion, you’re never going to see pieces like these again.

• Linda Kiely’s private clothing collection will go on sale through Luxury Exchange at a one-day pop-up on Saturday, July 18, at Studio 10, Wicklow Street, Dublin. For more information, follow Luxury Exchange on Instagram.