On December 17th, Sotheby’s held their second annual “Fashion Icons” auction in New York. Standouts from this year’s auction were three historically significant garments from the wardrobes of Audrey Hepburn, Former (and first female) Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
The Bessette-Kennedy items were featured and sought after for good reason. To most in the fashion world, Bessette-Kennedy, who died tragically at the age of 33 in a small plane crash with her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1999, was an irreplaceable figure, captivating the world with her timeless elegance, minimalist style, and what is known today as “quiet luxury.” Today, Bessette-Kennedy remains one of the most recognized and revered fashion icons of the 20th century.
The garments up for auction, each steeped in personal memories, were the gift of, and reflect the deep bond between Bessette-Kennedy and RoseMarie Terenzio, who was John F. Kennedy Jr.’s executive assistant and confidante. As Ms. Terenzio fondly recounts in her bestselling memoir Fairy Tale Interrupted: A Memoir of Life, Love and Loss, Ms. Bessette-Kennedy acted as her “fashion fairy godmother.”
One standout piece was a vintage double-breasted faux-leopard fur coat dating back to 1969, gifted to Ms. Terenzio during a conversation about a first-date outfit. “It looks perfect on you. You should keep it. I’ve been photographed in it so many times [the media] will start making fun of me,” Ms. Bessette-Kennedy had said. The coat, with its bold print and practical design, encapsulates her ability to merge practicality with polished sophistication. This striking piece, with an estimated value of $20,000 to $30,000, was a favorite of both women and remains a symbol of Carolyn’s playful generosity.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf donated her historic 2006 inauguration ensemble for the auction. Designed by Liberian fashion icon Abraham Pelham and crafted by Chris Collins in Liberia, the ensemble symbolizes a pivotal moment in global history. Known as “Africa’s Iron Lady,” Sirleaf was Africa’s first democratically-elected female head of state in 2005, and she led Liberia through reconciliation and recovery following the nation’s decade-long civil war, as well as the Ebola Crisis, winning international acclaim for achieving economic, social, and political change. Recognized as a global leader for women’s empowerment, President Sirleaf was awarded the prestigious Nobel Prize for Peace in 2011, and was also the recipient of The Presidential Medal of Freedom—the United States’ highest civilian award—for her personal courage and unwavering commitment to expanding freedom and improving the lives of Africans.
Sirleaf’s inauguration on January 16, 2006, marked a new chapter in Liberia’s history. The ceremony was attended by global dignitaries, including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and First Lady Laura Bush. Ms. Johnson Sirleaf’s ensemble for the occasion—an elegant, off-white traditional dress with a matching stole and headdress—was a testament to her pride in Liberian culture and her vision for the future. Estimated at $15,000 to $20,000, the proceeds from the auction will benefit The Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, an organization dedicated to empowering women in leadership roles across Africa.
Sotheby’s “Fashion Icons” sale celebrates the art of fashion throughout the ages. The only one of its kind presented by an international auction house, this thoughtfully curated sale showcases clothing worn by iconic cultural figures and features only the finest examples of fashion created throughout history. While the pieces are too fantastically numerous to list them all here, other highlights include one of Audrey Hepburn’s “little black dresses,” a 1966 Givenchy Haute Couture black cocktail gown, a rare and important coat by John Galliano from his ‘Afghanistan Repudiates’ collection, Spring-Summer 1985; Gabrielle Chanel couture day dress, circa 1927; art-deco cloche and scarf, 1924-25 by renowned multi-disciplinary artist Sonia Delaunay, recently exhibited in ‘Sonia Delaunay: Living Art’, The Bard Graduate Centre, New York, 2024; and glamorous evening wear from Alexander McQueen, Versace, amongst others.
Providing a unique and unparalleled platform for the sale of museum-worthy and historically important fashion, this sale also highlights haute couture by the major houses as well as rare works of art by trailblazers of 20th century design. This unique sale attracts international attention from leading museums, private collectors and connoisseurs in pursuit of the finest fashion in the world.
Curious as to who came away with the Bessette-Kennedy auction items? Staud’s Sarah Staudinger bought Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s personal collection from Sotheby’s second annual Fashion Icons sale for a total of $177,600. “Bessette-Kennedy is one of Sarah’s longstanding style icons, and this purchase serves as an homage to her timeless style and enduring influence on the fashion industry,” Staud said in a statement.
—
Photo Credit: rblfmr / Shutterstock.com