Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld’s Late Collection of Art, Blazers, and Other Items Sold for $13.5 Million at Sotheby’s France

The first auction in a two-part sale of late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld’s Monaco property has sold out—and doubled its pre-sale estimate for €12 million ($13.5 million).

The legendary designer who died in 2019 left his mark on the fashion world as director of Chanel and Fendi, ensuring there will be widespread interest in sales. Indeed, 1,500 international bidders who wanted to own a piece of fashion history contested it in 582 lots, including works of art, cars, clothing and sketches by couturiers.

“Collectors, fashionistas and longtime admirers of Karl Lagerfeld’s unique heritage and style came together this weekend, physically and virtually, to express their appreciation to one of the world’s greatest designers,” said Pierre Mothes, vice president of Sotheby’s France, in a celebratory statement. after sale.

Among the top lots were designer portraits by Takashi Murakami, which sold for €100,000 ($112,410); another by Gianni Versace costs €94,500 ($106,227), while the portrait of the cat Lagerfeld Choupette by Joana Vasconcelos exceeds his high estimate of €7,000 to get €20,320 ($22,841).

Meanwhile, Jeff Koons Dom Perignon’s Venus Balloon (2013) sold for €38,100 ($50,400), also exceeding his expectations, and a diapason table from 1968 by Marzio Cecchi surpassed his estimate of €35,000 to sell for €38,100 ($42,828).

Many variations of Lagerfeld’s signature black blazer, from Saint Laurent, Dior Homme, and others, are on sale, as are the gloves.

“There was an electric vibe to this incredible first sale that saw the offerings explode, with buyers battling for everything from Karl’s drawings to the art he chose to surround himself with, as well as many of his personal belongings,” said Mothes.

Other items include a chandelier, chairs, mirrors, rugs, ornate 19th-century bookshelf ladder, which sells for around €19,000, and a Lagerfeld dressing table.

The second part of the auction takes place in Paris and is online from December 12-17.

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