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C elebrating the art of fashion throughout the ages, our second annual "Fashion Icons" on the 17th December is 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. Join us as we preview 10 extraordinary pieces from the December sale.
This striking double-breasted coat is one of three remarkable pieces once owned by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy in December's sale. The coat was personally gifted by Carolyn to the former PA of John F. Kennedy Jr, RoseMarie Terenzio, who has treasured it for the past 25 years. The other items in the sale are two stunning coats by Prada and Yohji Yamamoto.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy remains an irreplaceable figure, captivating the world with her timeless elegance, minimalist style, and what we know today as “quiet luxury”. She remains one of the most recognized and revered fashion icons of the 20th century.
Produced circa 1969, the faux-leopard printed coat features broad lapels and chunky metal buttons. It also features two slit pockets and PU leather piping. Sizing: bust 92 cm (36 in), shoulder 41 cm (16 in) and length 102 cm (40 in).
This John Galliano Rare Frock-coat, 'Afghanistan Repudiates Western Ideals' Collection was John Galliano's first major commercial collection after his degree show, and his new backer (the 24-year-old Ghanian-Dane Johann Brun) advanced £3,000 to buy the fabrics.
The inspiration for the collection was a caricature (of the same title) published in Punch magazine, 1929, depicting a furious Afghan native jumping on a Western bowler hat. From his studio in London's East End, Galliano was surrounded by a melting pot of cultures, many of them Hindu and Muslim, which inspired many of the shapes and fabrics - combined in Galliano's own unique way - used in this collection. Only a very small quantity of these coats were produced. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds an identical coat, as part of a complete ensemble, within their collection (accession no.2020.60a–d).
The jacket features exaggerated and pointed shoulders as well as elongated sleeves. The centre back seam is cut in a curve of brown wool inset with antique Lancashire roller-printed cotton. Chest size of 102 cm (40 in).
Fashion icon Audrey Hepburn gifted this Givenchy Haute Couture Gown to her close friend Tanja Star Busmann during the 1960s. The design had formed part of Givenchy's Autumn-Winter 1966 Haute Couture collection.
The timeless, couture-labeled piece is made of black gazar, with the over-dress and zoccolo underskirt each edged with dazzling-cut brilliants. This remarkable lot includes a printed paper copy of the relevant pages from the original auction catalogue. Sizing: bust 82 cm (32 in) and waist 71 cm (28 in).
Arguably one of Issey Miyake's most coveted creations, this well-documented Issey Miyake Rare Breastplate was a favorite of Grace Jones, who has been photographed on numerous occasions wearing different colors of this design.
A wearable sculpture, this piece brilliantly merges the world's of fashion, contemporary and performance art. The finale of his A/W 1980-81 collection, the breastplate was also the focal point of Miyake's 'Bodyworks' exhibition, which toured internationally from 1983-85. Moulded from a woman's torso, the concept subverts the idea of clothing to be used as covering of the body, instead creating a surreal second-skin for the wearer. Miyake presented this piece as wearable art - in some instances worn on a live model, in others, mounted on a gallery wall as sculpture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds a version within their collection (accession no. 2015.61).
It is exceptionally rare to find an example still with it's original sticker. The piece is constructed in molded acrylic with glitter-flecked bronze finish, with a flocked interior. The item is 37 cm (14.5 in) high.
Magnificent bijou took centre stage of this collection with elaborate necklaces being shown in many variations. This Christian Dior By John Galliano Rare and Exceptional Necklace from the ‘Mata Hari' Collection was brilliantly described by fashion journalist, author, and critic Alexander Fury as 'halfway between Edwardian chokers and suits of armour'.
The pieces recall the legendary jewels of turn-of-the-century courtesans like La Belle Otero, who famously wore a bolero of diamonds. This example, using the unique technique of metal 'dipped' lace, is extremely rare.
This Christian Dior By John Galliano Newspaper Print Slip ‘Fly Girl' Collection dress gained cult status when Sarah Jessica Parker (Carrie Bradshaw) was filmed wearing an identical version in 'Sex In The City' (Season 3, Episode 17).
Crafted from luxurious silk jersey, the dress is boutique-labeled and features signature CD shoulder clasps, adding a touch of elegance to its edgy aesthetic. This piece perfectly encapsulates Galliano's ability to merge bold, contemporary prints with timeless couture craftsmanship.
Designed in a size 6 USA (bust 82-86 cm / 32-34 in).
The Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld "Aurélien" Tri-Color Cocktail Dress with Sequined Guitar from the Spring-Summer 1983 Ready-to-Wear collection is a prime example of Lagerfeld’s creative whimsy during his tenure at the brand. This dress, boutique-labeled and featured on the runway, is emblematic of Lagerfeld’s playful approach to design, blending art and fashion seamlessly.
The standout feature of this dress is the sequined guitar motif, a playful nod to music and pop culture, reflecting Lagerfeld’s talent for merging high fashion with accessible themes. His 1983 collection introduced several such designs with trompe-l'oeil and novelty embellishments, aligning with his reputation for humor and innovation. Lagerfeld’s work at Chloé during this period often included bold yet wearable designs, making pieces like this dress highly collectible. The tri-color design and silhouette maintain a balance of sophistication and charm, indicative of the designer’s ability to craft garments that are both statement-making and timeless.
Sizing: neck 24 cm (9.5 in), shoulders 45 cm (18 in), waist 36 cm (14 in) and length 96 cm (38 in).
Naomi Campbell modeled this Pierre Cardin Tabard for her first ever beauty campaign. The iconic model was photographed by Francois Nars for Nars Beauty, in 2019. The Metropolitan Museum of Art has an identical example within their collection (accession number 1973.270.1a, b).
The dress is made from ivory wool-jersey with black vinyl insertions. Sizing: bust 86 cm (34 in) and length 122 cm (48 in).
Olga Roudi was the trusted house manager of the Onassis family for decades at their private island in Scorpios, Greece. This Christian Dior by Marc Bohan Haute Couture dress was given to Olga either by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis or Christina Onassis, which she then gifted to her beloved friend, Esther Sfendilaki, before she passed away.
The dress is labeled and numbered 11855. Made from floral-printed organza, it features delicate ruffles adorning the shoulders and hem, along with an integral tie belt. Sizing: bust 96 cm (38 in) and waist 76 cm (32 in).
This characteristically bold design from Versace was worn by Paris Hilton to attend the 51st Grammy's in LA on February 7th 2009. Rapper Eve had previously worn the look for the first time at the MTV Music Awards in May 2003.
The Oroton mesh skirt design, featuring shades of purple and green, was lent by the vendor to Paris to wear for the event and has remained with them since. Sizing: bust 76-82 cm (30-32 in).
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