Oscar de la Renta X The Collection of Ann & Gordon Getty | Christie's Inc

Oscar de la Renta gives Ann Getty’s historic textiles new life. Rare velvets and laces from the collector have been fashioned into one-of-a-kind handbags and dresses, exclusively at Christie’s.

Statuesque with fiery red hair, Ann Getty, who stood nearly six feet tall, was eternally clad in the finest of fashions. She made as awe-inspiring of an impression on those she met as did the grandeur of her museum-like homes. Even the late Oscar de la Renta described the philanthropist and collector as ‘a Rossetti painting come to life,’ Alex Bolen, the fashion house’s CEO, tells Christie’s.

Throughout her life, Mrs. Getty turned to the legendary designer — both at his eponymous label, and during his 10 years as Balmain’s head designer — for showstopping ensembles, making Christie’s latest collaboration with Oscar de la Renta a particularly full-circle moment.

To honour Mrs. Getty’s exquisite eye, appreciation of craft, and longstanding relationship with Oscar de la Renta, the house’s current design team — led by co-creative directors Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia — have created five handbags and three dresses incorporating historic textiles from her vast collection. The pieces will be offered in The Ann & Gordon Getty Collection: Jewelry and Handbags, an online auction from 10-24 October 2022.