The personal effects of shot businesswoman Diane McIver are on sale in what is being billed as a “fashionistas dream closet.”
McIver died after she was shot in the back by her husband Tex McIver while riding in their SUV . Tex McIver has said the shooting was an accident. A criminal investigation is ongoing.
In the meantime, Tex McIver, as executor of his wife's estate, is moving forward to settle her affairs and the estate sale, expected to bring thousands of dollars, is part of the process.
McIver, 64, was a woman of wealth and status who amassed an enviable collection of clothing, accessories and jewelry from top designers. Peachtree Battle Estate Sales & Liquidations has spent the past week preparing for the sale.
More than 2,000 of McIver's items will take up 1,200 square feet of space at 700 Miami Circle in Atlanta. Sale hours are 10 - 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday.
Judging from the looks of the pre-sale images, McIver was not a minimalist. Many items feature bright colors, prints and extravagant details that are the hallmarks of designers such as Roberto Cavalli, Christian Lacroix and Moschino.
McIver seemed to have a weakness for animal prints, fringe and fur -- 121 fur coats to be exact ranging from a neutral colored Persian Lamb jacket to a dyed purple fur with red trim.
Expect to see classic items from designers such as Burberry and Chanel, including several Chanel handbags and shoes.
McIver was also a lover of hats. Styles include simple straw hats, winter hats, colorful fur headwraps and designs by Irish milliner, Philip Treacy.
Contemporary designers include Rebecca Taylor, Michael Kors, Sam Edelman, Trina Turk, and Elizabeth & James, the almost 10-year-old line created by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen.
There are hundreds of scarves and more than 500 pieces of Italian and French costume jewelry.
Many of McIver's items are in new (tag on) or nearly new condition. Clothing sizes range from 0 to 8 and shoes sizes are 8, 8.5 and 9. Of course, remember that a size eight for clothing that is more than a decade old is more like a size six in today's vanity sizing.
You can pay with cash, check or credit card but all sales are final and as is. Delivery service is available if necessary.
Estate sale pros are likely to come out in full force for this event, so if you're a newbie (or just not someone who does this all the time) here area a few tips for navigating the sale:
Arrive early if you want a crack at the top items. If you wait, with an event like this where huge crowds are expected, you'll be picking through leftovers.
Grab what you want. This isn't a situation where you can mull things over while you look around. If you're on the fence about something, claim it first and make a final decision later.
Don't bother haggling. This sale is run by a reputable company. Items are marked with a price and it should be fair. While prices may be marked down on the last day of the sale, an estate sale is not a garage sale (at least this one isn't.) If you don't like the price as marked, keep it moving. For coveted items (artwork, furniture) you may even end up bidding against other shoppers.
