Being one of the most iconic women of all time, Audrey Hepburn’s personal items might appear to be priceless.
But U.K-based auction house, Christie’s has just announced a flag-ship online and live sale at its King Street location in London later this year – featuring some of Hepburn’s most treasured personal items.
The collection, which has previously remained in the ownership of Hepburn’s family, is an incredible archive of clothing, photographs, jewellery and movie memorabilia.
Notable pieces include her light-tan Burberry trench coat, estimated to sell for £6,000-8,000 (approx $10,200-$13,500 AUD).
A long-time favourite of Hubert de Givenchy and often seen in his elegant designs, Hepburn’s baby-blue Givenchy satin dress is also set to be sold, along with an assortment of colourful ballet flats.
If you are a die-hard Breakfast at Tiffany’s fan, you better sit down for this one.
An annotated Breakfast at Tiffany’s script, inked by none other than the late Audrey Hepburn herself, is up for grabs. If you can match the price-tag that is – $100,000-$135,000, anyone?
Other relics are a personal letter from Breakfast at Tiffany’s author Truman Capote, an engraved lighter from My Fair Lady’s Art Director Gene Allen and a monogrammed compact.
Although the auction is sure to create a frenzy at the auction house, the big question is, why would anyone want to part with the globally acclaimed personality’s inherited belongings?
According to Hepburn’s family, the auction serves as an opportunity to pass the actress and humanitarian’s belongings onto future generations.
“On January 20th, 1993 we lost our mother and best friend and the world lost an enduring symbol of grace, elegance and humanity. We preserved our feelings for her as well as all of her belongings which each signified her life’s choices and philosophy,” explained Hepburn’s sons Luca Dotti and Sean Hepburn Ferrer in a joint statement.
“After 25 years, we have focused on those items we wished to keep as well as to pass on to future generations.”
It will be interested to see how this bidding war will go down – in December 2006, the classic black satin Givenchy evening gown worn by Hepburn’s most famous character, Holly Golightly, was sold for an enormous £456,200 ($771,000 AUD). The dress was estimated to top at £70,000 ($118,000).
The auction will kick-off at Christie’s King Street location on 27 September, but the online sale will be open to bidders from 19 September until 3 October. For those who are only geared for ‘window shopping’, an exhibition of the collection will be open for public viewing at Christie’s from 23 September.
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