Why sell off your wardrobe?
"As I've gotten older, Mother Fulton has.... well, I haven't put on weight, actually, I've lost. But as I've gotten older, as darling Miss Frankie, my best friend, says, 'Darling, your bones have spread.' My body has changed. From singing, I've got a great chest. Some people have children and their bosoms change, but I've been too busy."

You've hung onto these items for a while. Do you have any tips for keeping vintage clothes looking good?
"It's nice to have a garment bag, like you would for a wedding dress — believe me, I had plenty of those. There was a gown that I wore about four years ago — not for sale, by the way — and the bottom is very heavy with lace and jewels. I had it hung carefully over a hanger so it wouldn't pull the dress too long. But to my horror, I took it out of my closet and thought, 'What is that gray streak on my black gown?' Fine, fine dust. So I took a vacuum cleaner and got it off. To think I almost killed it with dust!"

Tell us a little bit about the collection.
"These are gowns that I've worn over the years. One of them is gold and I wore it on the cover of Soap Opera Digest for the 40th anniversary issue. I also have some great street clothes and some beautiful cocktail dresses. I have a Bill Blass cocktail dress from 1960 that is exquisite. It's like butterfly wings. I can't get into it now and I thought, 'It doesn't do me any good hanging in this garment bag.' I have a cherished picture of when I first met [Danny] Fortunato, husband No. 2, and signed my contract, and I'm in that dress. And the manager at the time said, 'Now that you've signed your contract, seal it with a kiss.' And I was gone. That did it, and I was wearing that dress. And I will part with it now."

Go to www.chelseamarketeers.com to learn all about the auction.