Combing through rails of sequinned dresses, leopard print suits and bejewelled leather jackets, Andre Portasio smiles, then sheds a tear. Three years on from the death of husband Paul O’Grady, the widower is busily sorting through the entertainer’s wardrobe.
The array of one-off costumes, which belonged to Paul’s acid tongued alter ego Lily Savage, will form part of a major new exhibition about the star, celebrating his life and legacy.
For Andre, 46, every precious garment is a link to the man he lost but still adores. He laughs: “I can just hear Paul saying ‘what? You’re putting this lot of old tat on display? It’s been in storage for years!’ But, secretly, I think he’d be quite pleased.
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“Every costume tells a story and is an insight into Paul as a person and an entertainer. He had a lot of input into the designs, materials and fabrics used in these outfits. He knew the clothes were a key part of who Lily was and, as gorgeous as they were, they also had a job to do.
