Now, Firth's fans can bid on the (sadly dry) shirt, which will go up for sale at a charity auction in London on Tuesday, with the auction house estimating it could sell for up to £10,000 ($12,700).
The 1800s-style shirt features a deep collar, loosely buttoned neckline and a label with the actor's name on it, while the rest of the outfit includes “moleskin front trousers” and “grosgrain waistcoat,” according to a description of the lot by Kerry Taylor Auctions, which is managing the bidding.
Other costumes up for sale in the charity auction include outfits from the British drama “Downton Abbey” and films including “Sherlock Holmes” and “La Vie en Rose” – although none of them have reached the same iconic status as this sheer wetsuit. shirt.
“Ranging in style from fanciful Renaissance creations to wearable 20th century silhouettes, the costumes will appeal to serious dramatic costume collectors in Hollywood and television,” Kerry Taylor Auctions said in a statement.
The unforgettable scene involving the shirt depicts the repressed lover taking a dip in a lake to cool off after a horseback ride before heroine Bennett discovers him unwittingly wandering into his palatial Pemberley estate. Speaking with obvious embarrassment at finding him soaking wet, she shouted: “Sir. Darcy” before awkwardly inquiring about her family's health (twice) and hastily excusing himself – much to the amusement of viewers.
“Darcey’s shirt-wet moment was never scripted,” costume designer Dina Cullen said in a statement about the auction. “Because on-screen male nudity was not permitted,” she said, according to the BBC’s broadcast rules, “the idea was born.” “The wet shirt,” she said, adding: “The scene caused a sensation at the time and transformed Colin Firth into another world.” From a respected classic actor to a sex symbol overnight!
Although hearts racing, the scene actually was never written by Austen.
“Pride and Prejudice does not include a scene in which Darcy jumps into the lake,” Sandy Byrne, a professor of English at Oxford University, told The Washington Post via email.
Byrne explained that there was a reference in the book published in 1813 to “a river of some natural interest”, which Darcy had invited Elizabeth Bennet’s uncle, Mr Gardiner, to fish.
“There is a lot to enjoy in the BBC and other film adaptations, but watching them is a very different experience from reading the novels,” Byrne said. “For me, the adaptations lose most of the qualities for which we appreciate Austen's work. The writing is more nuanced, nuanced and at the same time more revolutionary than the TV series and films.
“We can't guess what Austen would have done with the shirt, but her novels contain a lot of temptation and escape, so she understood the power of sexual attraction as She understood all aspects of the human heart. The association wishes the auction success in raising funds.
Since then, the lake scene has inspired others, including in the Netflix series “Bridgerton” and the film “Bridget Jones's Diary,” which sees Hugh Grant's character falling into a lake while Firth's character looks on, in a bold homage to the BBC series.
The charity auction includes 69 items from fashion house Cosprop, founded by Oscar-winning fashion designer John Bright. In addition to Darcey's shirt, the shirt will feature outfits from popular dramas such as “Peaky Blinders” and “Poldark,” as well as those worn by actors Margot Robbie (“Goodbye Christopher Robin”) and Julie Andrews (“Victor/Victoria”). “) and Eddie Redmayne (“The Danish Girl”).
Other products include a Christian Dior dress worn by Madonna in the movie “Evita,” a suit worn by Johnny Depp in the movie “Sleepy Hollow,” and others worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in the movie “Emma” and Kate Winslet in the movie “Finding Neverland.” “
Funds raised through the Lights Camera Auction will go to the Bright Foundation, an arts education charity founded by fashion designer Bright.
““We are extremely grateful for the tremendous generosity of Kerry Taylor Auctions who hosted this event,” the charity said in a statement, adding that proceeds “will provide free access to theater performances, museum tours and visual and performing arts workshops for children who may not otherwise have the opportunity to do so.” Thus, in addition to supporting creative career paths for young people.
