Brigitte Bardot's velvet coat to be auctioned for dog charity

A black velvet coat that belonged to the late Brigitte Bardot, the renowned French actress and advocate for animal rights, is set to be auctioned to benefit the Dogs in Distress charity. This sleeveless, full-length garment, adorned with butterfly embroidery, was crafted by designer Jean Bouquin in the 1960s and includes signed photos along with a personal dedication from Bardot. The auction is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:00 BST at The Cotswold Auction Company in Cheltenham. Senior valuer Jenny Low called it a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to acquire a piece of fashion history from the iconic star, who passed away in December at the age of 91. The coat is expected to fetch over £1,000.