Sotheby’s "Fashion Icons" auction lands in New York to celebrate everything fashion.
The art of fashion as seen throughout the ages will come alive under Sotheby’s carefully curated collection showcasing some of history’s finest garments worn by iconic figures. Sotheby’s extraordinary platform facilitates the sale of historically significant and museum-worthy fashion pieces, from haute couture with origins in premier fashion houses to groundbreaking works by 20th-century designers. Among the highlights is a rare and significant coat by John Galliano from his "Afghanistan Repudiates" collection, a Chanel couture day dress from circa 1927, and stunning eveningwear by Alexander McQueen and Versace.
This distinctive event draws global interest from museums, private collectors, and connoisseurs, in pursuit of the finest fashion in the world.
The spotlight however will indisputably fall upon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe, with three significant garments taking centre stage at the auction, which opens for bidding on November 27th.
The Enduring Appeal of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy
Bessette-Kennedy remains one of the most recognised and revered fashion names of the 20th century. The term ‘icon’ is often overused – or indeed misused in many cases – but Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy’s iconic status is undeniable. An irreplaceable figure, she captivated the world with her minimalist style and defined what is known today as “quiet luxury aesthetics”. Her indomitable spirit continues to inspire many years after her tragic passing, and she remains a firm fixture on the mood boards of fashion designers for her enduring style – best defined as a masterclass in understatement. This would explain why so many are still looking to Bessette-Kennedy for inspiration decades after her tragic death.
The former Calvin Klein publicist turned wife of John F. Kennedy Jr. started a fashion cult that now surrounds her personal style. Notoriously private and self-effacing, Bessette-Kennedy’s influence on fashion only seems to grow stronger with time.
Bessette-Kennedy’s style is an ode to the quiet luxury and "old money" aesthetics that resonate deeply with today's audiences. Her affinity for sleek, understated elegance aligns with the revival of '90s-inspired minimalism, a growing trend now amongst new generations.
Few wardrobes in modern history rival that of Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s, and Sotheby’s upcoming auction is about to show us why.
Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy – The Legacy Lives On
Three pieces of clothing from Bessette-Kennedy’s wardrobe are going up for auction and will be on view to the public in Sotheby’s York Avenue Galleries on the Upper East Side of Manhattan from the 5th to 10th of December. The online Fashion Icons Auction opens for bidding in the last week of November and runs until December 17th.
Bessette-Kennedy gifted these remarkable pieces to her close friend, RoseMarie Terenzio, who was John F. Kennedy Jr.’s executive assistant, publicist, and one of the couple’s closest confidantes during the 1990s. Each garment is reminiscent of the late It Girl’s refined taste, generosity, and timeless appeal.
The auction debuts with a Prada single-breasted black wool coat Carolyn wore to Bill Clinton's 1997 inauguration, followed by a vintage faux-leopard fur coat, unlabelled, circa 1969. A Yohji Yamamoto black wool jacket she wore to the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal event in 1997 is favoured of all three pieces and the most anticipated in the sale event.
Having been a favourite of Carolyn's, the Prada-Labelled Black Wool Single-Breasted Coat with Belt is believed to be from the Prada Autumn-Winter 1996-97 collection and is expected to fetch around $20,000. A sleek silhouette reminiscent of 1960s-70s design, this coat is one of several variations, such as beige and red tweed, that Bessette-Kennedy wore frequently.
The Vintage Faux-Leopard Printed Double-Breasted Coat from circa 1969, estimated at $30,000, is one of two leopard print coats Bessette-Kennedy owned. Given that the leopard print trend has seen a resurgence in the Fall 2024 fashion month, the piece is evocative of its era yet stands as a fashion emblem ahead of its time.
The Yohji Yamamoto Black Wool Double-Breasted Jacket from 1997, estimated to fetch $20,000, is set to be the focal point of the auction. Distinguished by its padded hips, tailored waist, and self-covered buttons, the coat is emblematic of the designer’s structured sophistication. Bessette-Kennedy’s admiration for Yamamoto is well-documented, and her numerous appearances wearing his pieces remained some of her most copied looks.
She wore this jacket, paired with a similar skirt while attending the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal ceremony – honouring Robert De Niro at the Municipal Art Society in New York in March 1997 – with her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr at her side.
These pieces reveal a woman who made considered choices, endured public scrutiny with grace, and revealed a generosity and kindness that touched many. What some might find striking about her wardrobe is the sheer practicality behind it. The black Prada coat is particularly emblematic of this.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on Carolyn’s life and era-defining minimalist style, Sotheby's fashion specialist Lucy Bishop remarked: “There is no greater expression of someone’s life than their clothes”. As a woman rushing through the busy streets of New York and attending exclusive galas, Bessette-Kennedy’s fashion choices were practical yet she always managed to look polished and immaculate. She knew too well the quiet strength of dressing well and the power of understated beauty, a truth captured timelessly in these pieces. It’s this understanding that keeps her style very much alive and lovingly emulated by women worldwide today. Her coats, steeped in subdued elegance, deserve a new home, dressing the closet of someone who appreciates just how special they truly are.
