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Celebrities

Elizabeth Taylor’s ring, Chanel fashions in first catwalk auction

STORYAgence France-Presse
Elizabeth Taylor pictured in a scene from one of her most famous films, ‘Cleopatra’.
Elizabeth Taylor pictured in a scene from one of her most famous films, ‘Cleopatra’.
Auctions

Online sale by GWS Auctions in Beverly Hills features huge collection of French brand’s clothing and accessories, plus items once owned by Hollywood actress

The catwalk has met the auctioneer’s gavel and gone online – offering Chanel-labelled fashion and accessories and one of the late Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor’s diamond rings.

In a streaming fashion show last Saturday, a California auction house aimed to modernise the auction format with what it called the “first ever runway fashion show auction”.

A model shows a Chanel 2000C three-piece linen ensemble with red Lesage beading and stitching, which had an estimated value at the auction of up to US$$7,000, Photo: AFP
A model shows a Chanel 2000C three-piece linen ensemble with red Lesage beading and stitching, which had an estimated value at the auction of up to US$$7,000, Photo: AFP
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GWS Auctions had put up for sale a huge collection of Chanel-labelled fashion and accessories, along with items including the diamond ring and mink fur coat once owned by Taylor, who died in 2011.
A model shows Elizabeth Taylor’s solid gold 18-carat white dome diamond ring, originally given to her by actor Richard Burton, which was offered at GWS Auctions’ online catwalk sale on December 2. Photo: AFP
A model shows Elizabeth Taylor’s solid gold 18-carat white dome diamond ring, originally given to her by actor Richard Burton, which was offered at GWS Auctions’ online catwalk sale on December 2. Photo: AFP

The entire collection would have been worth more than US$25 million if bought in stores at current prices, organisers said, although the seller wished to keep the final selling prices private.

A Cartier Ballon Bleu Stainless Steel 42mm watch, with a diamond bezel and silver guilloche dial, included in the GWS Auctions sale, was valued at up to US$35,000. Photo: AFP
A Cartier Ballon Bleu Stainless Steel 42mm watch, with a diamond bezel and silver guilloche dial, included in the GWS Auctions sale, was valued at up to US$35,000. Photo: AFP
During the sale in Beverly Hills, models wore the main pieces, while the show was streamed online “so bidders from around the world can participate”, GWS said.
A Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 18-carat white gold watch for Tiffany & Co, was valued at up to US$30,000 before the GWS Auctions sale. Photo: AFP
A Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse 18-carat white gold watch for Tiffany & Co, was valued at up to US$30,000 before the GWS Auctions sale. Photo: AFP
Prior to the sale, event organiser Brigitte Kruse said it would not be a stereotypical auction “where people show up and see things laying out or hanging up”.
A mid-sized Lady Dior shiny turquoise/navy ombre graded lizard skin bag – one of only 19 made – had an estimated value of US$$12,500 to US$15,000. Photo: AFP
A mid-sized Lady Dior shiny turquoise/navy ombre graded lizard skin bag – one of only 19 made – had an estimated value of US$$12,500 to US$15,000. Photo: AFP

Kruse said: “We’re actually going to provide a live visual for our bidders.”

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