According to WWD, a rare Bulgari brooch once owned by Audrey Hepburn was sold at Sotheby’s Paris for €355,600 (approximately $425,000), nearly six times its estimated price. The piece sparked fierce bidding, with four collectors locked in intense competition.
The auction dedicated to the personal collection of Doris Brynner demonstrated that demand for exceptional jewelry remains strong, even as the broader luxury market shows signs of slowdown. Jewelry accounted for half of the ten most expensive lots, including several designs by Jean Schlumberger. A diamond brooch by Paul Flato, formerly owned by Elizabeth Taylor, sold for €50,800.
High Fashion and Rare Home Décor
The auction also saw strong results in high fashion. A 1962 Balenciaga coat achieved an impressive €1.72 million, far exceeding its initial estimate. The sale coincided with Paris Haute Couture Week, adding to the heightened interest.
Rare designer shoes caused a sensation as well. Pink Christian Dior shoes by Roger Vivier, adorned with floral motifs, sold for €16,510—more than 33 times their high estimate. Another pair of Vivier shoes, crafted in brown crocodile-style leather, reached the same price despite an original estimate of just €400–800.
Doris Brynner, the widow of Yul Brynner, was well known for her role as head of home décor and gifts at the House of Dior, as well as for her passion for rare objects and fashion accessories. Originally from Chile, she moved to France in the 1950s and worked with Pierre Cardin and Valentino, specializing in client relations.
Over the course of her life, she assembled an extensive collection that included clothing, jewelry, baskets, books, tableware, and decorative objects. Doris Brynner passed away in February last year at the age of 93.