Gwyneth Paltrow's Personal Wardrobe Auction Set to Captivate Fashion Enthusiasts
The announcement that Gwyneth Paltrow will auction off a significant portion of her personal wardrobe on March 24 at 6pm UK time is generating immense excitement across the fashion industry. You do not need to be a dedicated fashionista to recognise that the founder of the lifestyle brand Goop stands as a true style icon. Many would argue that her 2023 ski crash trial in Utah became a defining moment for the stealth wealth aesthetic, as she appeared in court daily wearing impeccably understated yet ultra-luxurious outfits.
A Signature Style That Resonates Widely
Outside the courtroom, Gwyneth, aged 53, has cultivated a strong signature look characterised by minimal classicism with a fashion-forward edge, which also proves surprisingly relatable to many. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) with a chest size of 34B, and while her official dress size remains undisclosed, she is estimated to be a size 10 at most. This means the sale may not be accessible to every woman, but it still presents a remarkable opportunity for fashion collectors, featuring an extensive 504 lots.
Described by Gwyneth to Vogue as a 'garage sale', the auction carries the sophisticated title Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow Lexicon Of Style & The Archival Edit. Although the live event will be hosted at the luxurious five-star hotel The Peninsula Beverly Hills, it could surprisingly emerge as one of the most accessible celebrity sales in recent memory.
High-End and Affordable Treasures Up for Grabs
The auction includes items for avid collectors, such as the Atelier Versace ombre gown she wore to the 2010 Country Music Awards, listed as lot 14 with an estimate of $4,000 (£2,960), currently holding a highest bid of £743. Another highlight is the pale pink Ralph & Russo one-shoulder dress from the 2015 Oscars, lot 12, with a current highest bid of $1,500 (£1,110). Notably, this should not be confused with the strapless pink Ralph Lauren dress she famously wore while tearfully accepting her Oscar in 1999.
Remarkably, the sale also features countless clothes and accessories that the average civilian woman would be thrilled to own, now suddenly within reach. For instance, a pair of Look Optic aviator reading glasses, lot 100, is currently going for $25 (£18). Additionally, bags in the auction represent steals, including lot 82, a large Saint Laurent duffel with a current highest bid of $350 (£259), boasting a slightly worn-in look that enhances the desirability of vintage pieces over new ones.
Diverse Range of Items from Jewellery to Furniture
Watches and jewellery are also prominent, such as lot 58, a Baume & Mercier stainless steel watch with a highest bid of $350 (£259), and lot 94, a Solange Azagury-Partridge gold ring shaped into the word 'rad', with a highest bid of $150 (£111). Lot 210 features a Rifat Ozbek Wild West/military-inspired jacket from 1992, once a must-have item and potentially sought after by figures like Kate Moss, with a latest bid of $800 (£592). The collection spans from museum-worthy pieces to affordable items like $20 white jeans and bargain boots.
Beyond fashion, the auction includes furniture, Fender Stratocaster guitars, and even a few family photos. Gwyneth's decision to part with these treasures is reportedly motivated by a storage unit fire and the sale of her Los Angeles home. When asked for her reasons, she simply stated: 'I have all this great stuff that doesn't go anywhere… It's nice for those things to live on… through different owners.' She might have added: 'And who knows, a housewife in Reading might end up wearing that thing I never took off during the summer of 1995.'
Notable Lots and Bidding Details
Several items come with photographs of Gwyneth wearing them, adding a personal touch. Key lots include:
- Lot 54: A cashmere coat by Boss, with a current bid of £19, worn by Gwyneth at Calvin Klein's show during New York Fashion Week in 2017.
- Lot 79: A custom Armani suit, with a current highest bid of £595, worn at the worldwide premiere of Iron Man 2 in Hollywood in 2010.
- Lot 48: A grey Versace two-piece, worn at the 28th Annual Vision Awards in Los Angeles in 2001, currently with no bids.
- Lot 34: A wool striped sweater from Gwyneth's G.Label, with a highest bid of £19.
- Lot 133: A Hermes Birkin bag, similar to one worn in the 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums, with a current highest bid of £7,400.
- Lot 57: A black leather Givenchy Antigona bag, with a current highest bid of £370.
- Lot 13: A pair of Cathy Waterman diamond earrings, with a current highest bid of £370.
- Lot 137: A Louis Vuitton bag, one of only 50 ever made, with a current highest bid of £595.
- Lot 9: An 18-karat 'Gwyneth' ring, with a highest bid of £186.
- Lot 267: A Dior bag, with a current highest bid of £186.
- Lot 99: A 'mom' necklace, with a current highest bid of £37.
How to Participate and Charitable Aspect
Interested bidders can register in advance or bid during the live sale on the day. The thrill of a live auction means some items may be fiercely contested, while others could be acquired for a bargain. There is genuinely something for everyone in this diverse collection.
Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow Lexicon Of Style & The Archival Edit runs from March 24 to 25, starting at 6pm GMT. Registration for bidding is available at juliensauctions.com. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the charity World Central Kitchen, adding a philanthropic dimension to this fashionable event.
