André Leon Talley’s belongings fetch nearly $3.6 million at auction
Fashion
Published on February 17, 2023
Written by Oscar Holland, CNN
Hundreds of items from the estate of the late fashion icon André Leon Talley, including paintings, personal photographs and some of his signature capes, have been auctioned for a total of $3.55 million.
A treasure trove of the veteran editor’s belongings went under the hammer at Christie’s in New York on Wednesday, fetching almost $1.4 million before a further 350 lots were sold online by the auction house.
Talley, the longtime creative director of Vogue magazine, died last year at the age of 73. He owned a huge fashion collection with clothing for sale ranging from Tom Ford kimonos to a selection of Prada crocodile coats. Among the top sellers were a Christian Dior coat and a silk-satin Climate Revolution cape by the late Vivienne Westwood, which fetched $40,320 and $32,760, respectively.
A display of items was shown prior to the sale, including some of Talley’s signature capes and kaftans. Photo credit: Courtesy of Christie’s Images
The items in the collection also speak to his deep network of relationships with some of the biggest names in fashion. Over a dozen sketches and photos by the late Karl Lagerfed, plus a signed watercolor portrait once made of Talley by Gianni Versace. The latter item sold for $37,500.
The world’s oldest Hebrew Bible could fetch $50 million at auction
Talley was not only known for his love of fashion, but also for his interest in art and culture. Two different Andy Warhol artworks (along with a Louis Vuitton suitcase set) shared the title of best seller at the auction, each fetching $94,500. Also among the hottest items was a Bradley Theodore portrait by former Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland, which sold for just over $40,000. Several other photos by Vreeland appeared in the auction, as well as an Annie Leibovitz photo of Vogue’s top gun Anna Wintour.
A brick red “Sleeping Bag” clutch coat by Norma Kamali fetched $25,200. Photo credit: Courtesy of Christie’s Images
A red coat by designer Norma Kamali sold for $25,200, well above its original estimate of $500-$800. The iconic piece garnered renewed attention earlier this week when Rihanna turned up for her Super Bowl performance in a remarkably similar Alaïa down jacket – leading many viewers to speculate it might have been a tribute to Talley.
Elsewhere, buyers from 47 countries were offered a veritable selection of items for sale, including carriage clocks, amethyst geodes and silver cutlery designed by Vera Wang.
A portrait of former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland by artist Bradley Theodore has sold for just over $40,000. Photo credit: Courtesy of Christie’s Images
The auction house said proceeds from the sale will go to two churches dedicated to “Mr. Talley’s heart: the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York and the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina.
In a press statement, Elizabeth Seigel, head of Christie’s private collections, said the sale confirmed Talley’s “rare status in the fashion world and beyond.” The collection, she added, is “a testament to his impeccable taste.”
Continue reading