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Margaret Thatcher's iconic suits sold for record-breaking sum

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The power suits worn by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher have been sold at auction for £73,000.

Famed for her iconic dressing, the politician's rise to political power was reflected in the outfits.

Dating from the 1970s and 80s, the seven suits were available to purchase at Christie's on Monday.

Thatcher

The outfits were sold by a private collector, and valued at between £1,000 to £1,500 each.

Selling at seven times their value, the items were more sought after than presumed.

An anonymous South Korean bidder purchased six of the suits, including a vibrant canary yellow wool dress and jacket that was worn at her first party conference as leader in 1975.

The set also included a navy suit seen on Valerie Singleton's popular TV programme Val Meets The VIP's.

However, the most valuable suit sold to an anonymous bidder for £25,000, and was worn the day Baroness Thatcher was elected leader of the Conservative Party in 1975.

Thatcher

The jade green, wool suit is composed of a pipe jacket and a silk-topped dress.

Pat Frost, head of the textiles department at Christie's, described the sale as a "one-off" opportunity.

"These outfits were worn at the beginning of her career, when she got the 'milk snatcher' tag, and were part of the important moments like her introduction as leader at the Conservative Party conference."

The auction was part of a "London Sale", a one-off themed auction to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and London 2012.

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