PARIS, Dec 11, 2007 (AFP) - A first-off auction of "vintage" designer wear for men at Paris' Drouot auction house fetched a higher-than-expected 134,200 euros (197,200 US dollars) on Tuesday, December 11th.

Models present ready-to-wear creations in Paris in July 2007 - Photo : Pierre Verdy/AFP

While vintage womens-wear sales are frequent, the sale of 485 items of clothing and accessories made by some of Europe's top couturiers between 1960 and 2000 was a first in Paris.

Best-seller was a 1992 autumn-winter woollen gabardine jacket designed by Jean Paul Gaultier that went for 7,930 euros (11,600 dollars), the auctioneers said. Another of his creations, a 1987 red velvet sleeveless tunic, fetched 4,880 euros (7,100 dollars).

Among brands up for grabs were pieces from Dior by Hedi Slimane, Kenzo, Hermes, Maison Martin Margiela, Yves Saint Laurent, Thierry Mugler, Francesco Smalto, Pierre Cardin, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Weston and Goyard.

Items ranged from sweaters to suits and pants, hats, coats, ties, gloves, scarves, cuff-links and luggage.