Coud Kim Kardashian bid for items worn by Princess Diana in Sotheby’s Inaugural Fashion Icons Sale?

If you happen to be in New York from 7 – 13 September 2023, Sotheby’s Inaugural Fashion Icons sale will be available for the public to view, and I can assure you that it will definitely be worth a visit. There are some incredible pieces available to view and they are without question, ‘extraordinary objects, ’as described by the auction house themselves. 

One star who might be particularly interested in bidding for one of the items is Kim Kardashian. After all, the reality star has previously spent more than £160,000 on ‘The Attallah Cross, a 1920s Garrard pendant that had been worn by the late Princess Diana on several occasions. Sky News reported in January of this year that “The Attallah Cross was sold to a representative of the American reality star after being put up for auction at Sotheby’s in London.”

The sale in New York consists of 10 items in total, including two belonging to the late Princess Diana, which include a jumper and dress. The dress in question was designed by  Murray Arbeid and is an evening gown that she wore to Prince Edward’s 21st birthday party in 1985. The dress has an estimate of $80,000 – $120,000.

The other Princess Diana piece of clothing available in the sale is her iconic ‘black sheep’ jumper that was designed by Sally Muir and Joanna Osborne for their label, Warm and Wonderful. Princess Diana wore the jumper to watch King Charles, the then Prince of Wales, play polo in June 1981. The item could sell for up to £70,000

Other highlights of the sale include a Taxidermied Bird of Paradise Headpiece Circa 1800s that was worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in her role as Carrie Bradshaw. Those who are long term fans of Sex and the City (and that includes me when it comes to the original series) will never forget Carrie wearing this alongside a Vivienne Westwood bridal gown when she was originally set to marry ‘Mr Big.’ The item was worn again in the spin off series ‘And Just Like That.’ This item has an estimate of $40,000 – $70,000,

For those of you who are Madonna fans, it is possible to bid for a circa 1910s ‘Lace Wedding Veil,’ that the iconic star wore for Vanity Fair’s First European ‘Icon Issue’ this Year. The veil could fetch between $10,000 – $30,000. 

As well as pop stars, and royalty, there is also an item available to bid for from a former First Lady. A 1950s ‘Norman Norell Black Lace Dress’ worn by Michelle Obama could reach between $30,000 – $60,000. According to Sotheby's, "On 12 December 2010, Former First Lady Michelle Obama attended the TNT Christmas in Washington musical broadcast celebration wearing a vintage 1960s Norman Norell black lace dress. The media and public were instantly captivated by this moment, as it marked the first time a First Lady had ever chosen to wear a vintage piece to a public event.”

Other notable items include Kate Winslet’s ‘Alexander McQueen for Givenchy Evening Gown,' worn to the 70th Annual Academy Awards. This striking green dress is expected to reach between $30,000 – $60,000. For those of you who have always dreamed of owning a Hermès bag, particularly one owned by legendary actress Lauren Bacall, it is possible to bid on two bags that belonged to her. One is a ‘Fauve Barenia and Toile Haut à Courroies Birkin, 1972’ bag, which has an estimate of. $8/$12,000 and the other is a ‘Rouge H Box Kelly Retourne 32, 1973’,with an estimate of. $3/$5,000.

Cynthia Houlton, Sotheby’s Global Head of Fashion & Accessories said: “These striking garments and accessories belonging to and worn by some of the most celebrated individuals across the worlds of fashion, film, music and politics each possess a unique narrative in the wide-spanning history of fashion. Sotheby’s is immensely privileged to showcase these treasures to the world, catering to the passions and enthusiasm of fashion aficionados and collectors alike.”

When is the exhibition open to the public?

The exhibition is open to the public at Sotheby’s New York from 7 – 13 September 2023

When does the online sale open for bidding?

 Bidding is from 31 August – 14 September.