Late style icon Andre Leon Talley’s incredible estate sells for a staggering $3.55M at auction – with wall of Prada alligator coats, dozens of personalized Louis Vuitton trunks and artwork by Andy Warhol drawing going under the hammer
- André Leon Talley’s fatal heart attack in January 2022 rocked the fashion world
- A collection of his silk capes and prime artworks sold for 507 percent more than its estimate, according to auction house Christie’s
- The most expensive items included an Andy Warhol painting and trio of personalized Luis Vuitton trunks
He was once lauded the ‘pharaoh of fabulosity’ by Vogue and counted Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg and Karl Lagerfeld as close friends.
So it is little surprise fashionistas were eager to get their hands on items from the late André Leon Talley’s estate which sold for $3.55 million in online and in-person sales at Christie’s auction house this week.
Among the most expensive items included an Andy Warhol painting and a three-piece set of personalized Louis Vuitton trunks which sold for $94,500 each.
Meanwhile, a navy-wool Christian Dior coat brought in an eye-watering $40,320 despite experts estimating it would only sell for $1000.
And the collection also featured several of Talley’s signature satin capes including one by Tom Ford and another from Vivienne Westwood.
Andre Leon Talley’s estate sold for $3.55 million at Christie’s auction house this week, 570 percent more than its low estimate
Andre Leon Talley’s iconic kaftans sold for staggering prices, with the one in the center – a black Balenciaga faille piece – fetching $6,048 in the online auction. The jewelry and red slippers were sold separately
The collection featured the late style icon’s signature satin capes and colorful kaftans
A wall of Prada alligator coats made up part of the collection. An ‘umber’ version sold for $27,720
Their designs sold for $27, 720 and $32, 760 respectively.
In all the collection sold for 507 percent above its low estimate.
Elizabeth Seigel, Christie’s Head of Private and Iconic Collections, said: ‘It was especially gratifying to see the interest that generated astonishingly high bids across the board.
‘The Collection of André Leon Talley is a testament to his impeccable taste and Christie’s is thrilled to have helped achieve such strong results.’
A painting by Andy Warhol was one of the highest ticket items at the Christie’s auction, selling for $94,500
Other items to be auctioned by Christie’s included a brick-red ‘sleeping bag’ clutch coat by Norma Kamal (left) which fetched $25,200, while a navy wool deconstructed Christian Dior Haute Couture (right) coat sold for $40, 320
Talley made history as the first black man to become creative director for fashion bible Vogue.
It was a position he held from 1988 until 2013, excluding a three-year break he took to work for W magazine in Paris.
The 6ft6inch star was famed for his colorful capes and kaftans which he wore regularly as he sat in the front rows of high-fashion catwalks – and out in public.
Elizabeth Seigel, Christie’s Head of Private and Iconic Collections, said: ‘It was especially gratifying to see the interest that generated astonishingly high bids across the board.’ The trio of Louis Vuitton bags at the front sold together for $94,500
Dozens of Louis Vuitton trunks made up the collection, bringing in some of the biggest bids from buyers who came from across 47 countries
Travel clocks, amethyst geodes and a Vera Wang-designed silver cutlery set made up the rest of the collection
His death, sparked by a heart attack, rocked the fashion world in January 2022 with former Vogue editor Anna Wintour calling the loss ‘immeasurable.’ He was 72.
Other items to be auctioned by Christie’s included a brick-red ‘sleeping bag’ clutch coat by Norma Kamal which fetched $25,200.
The piece is remarkably similar to the puffer jacket Rihanna stepped out in for her Super Bowl performance last weekend.
Many suggested it was a tribute to the late icon.
A black and aubergine silk Vivienne Westwood ‘Climate Revolution’ cape sold for $32,760 while a personized rouge leather Birkin with Gold Hardware Hermes brought in $32,760
An ‘umber’ Prada alligator coat sold for $27,720
A Bradley Theodore portrait of former Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland also sold for just over $40,000.
Travel clocks, amethyst geodes and a Vera Wang-designed silver cutlery set made up the rest of the collection which went on sale to buyers across 47 countries.
Christie’s said 30 percent of bidders were new to the auction house while over 40 percent of those newcomers were millennials.
An Hermes bicycle owned by the fashion icon also went under the hammer
Three Lock & Co Hatters straw hats belonging to the icon were in the auction – selling as a single lot for $6,048. It was estimated to fetch between $600-$800
A Chanel amethyst geode and gripix glass pendant broach (left) sold for $8,820; while a Tiret diamond ‘Second Chance’ wristwatch sold for $5,670
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