The news that Gwyneth Paltrow is auctioning off a chunk of her personal wardrobe on March 24 at 6pm UK time is setting hearts aflutter in the fashion world.
You don’t have to be a fashionista to know that the founder of the lifestyle brand Goop is a style icon.
Some would say that her ski crash trial in Utah in 2023 was the defining moment for the stealth wealth look – she arrived at court every day in an impeccable low-key but ultra luxurious outfit.
And out of court, Gwyneth, 53, has established a strong signature look – minimal classic but fashion forward – which also happens to be surprisingly relatable.
She is 5ft 9in (175cm), chest size 34B, and although there is no official information on her dress size, she’s probably a 10 at most, so this is not a sale that every woman can take advantage of.
That said, it is still quite the opportunity for fashion collectors, with 504 lots.
The auction, which Gwyneth described to Vogue as a ‘garage sale’, may have a fancy name – Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow Lexicon Of Style & The Archival Edit.
And the live auction may be taking place at five-star hotel The Peninsula Beverly Hills but, strangely enough, it could still turn out to be one of the most accessible celebrity sales anyone can remember.
There are clothes for avid collectors, including the Atelier Versace ombre gown (pictured) she wore to the 2010 Country Music Awards (lot 14, estimate $4,000/£2,960). The current highest bid is £743
There is also the pale pink Ralph & Russo one-shoulder dress (pictured) she wore to the 2015 Oscars (lot 12, current highest bid $1,500/£1,110)
Lot 19 is a skirt (pictured) by Gwyneth’s G.Label, with a current bid of £19
There are items here to gawp at: lot 84, a Jennifer Meyer gold pendant necklace with the initials ACM, representing her daughter Apple, consciously uncoupled ex-husband and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, and son Moses (estimate $600/£444).
There are clothes for avid collectors: the Atelier Versace ombre gown she wore to the 2010 Country Music Awards (lot 14, estimate $4,000/£2,960) and the pale pink Ralph & Russo one-shoulder dress she wore to the 2015 Oscars (lot 12, current highest bid $1,500/£1,110), not to be confused with the strapless pink Ralph Lauren she famously sobbed in when she won an Oscar in 1999.
And then, remarkably, there are endless clothes and accessories that your average civilian female would be delighted to own and now, suddenly, might just have a tiny chance of possessing. How about a pair of Look Optic aviator reading glasses (lot 100), currently going for $25/£18?
There are also bags in this auction that are a steal (including lot 82, a big Saint Laurent duffel, current highest bid $350/ £259) and have that slightly worn-in look that makes vintage bags more desirable than new.
There are watches (lot 58, Baume & Mercier stainless steel, highest bid $350/£259) and covetable jewellery at a fraction of its original cost (lot 94, a Solange Azagury-Partridge gold ring shaped into the word ‘rad’, highest bid $150/£111).
Lot 210 is a Rifat Ozbek Wild West/military-inspired jacket from 1992 that was the jacket to own at the time and might well get snapped by Kate Moss (latest bid $800/£592) and on it goes… everything from pieces you might expect to find behind glass in a museum to $20 white jeans and bargain boots.
There’s furniture too, along with Fender Stratocaster guitars (Martin forgot them perhaps) and even, oddly, a few family photos.
Paltrow’s decision to offload all these treasures is said to have been spurred by a storage unit fire and the sale of her LA home.
Lot 54 is a cashmere coat (pictured) by Boss, with a current bid of £19. Pictured: Gwyneth wearing the coat at Calvin Klein’s show at New York Fashion Week in 2017
A custom Armani suit (pictured) makes up lot 79. It has a current highest bid of £595. Pictured: Gwyneth wearing the suit at the worldwide premiere of Iron Man 2 in Hollywood in 2010
A grey Versace two-piece (pictured, worn by Gwyneth at the 28th Annual Vision Awards in Los Angeles in 2001) makes up lot 48. It has no bids yet
This wool striped sweater (pictured), one of a pair in lot 34, is made by Gwyneth’s G.Label. The highest bid so far is £19
Lot 133 is a Hermes Birkin bag (left), similar to the one Gwyneth wore in 2001 film The Royal Tenenbaums (right). The current highest bid is £7,400
Lot 57 is a black leather Givenchy Antigona bag (pictured). The current highest bid is £370
Lot 13 is a pair of Cathy Waterman diamond earrings (pictured). The current highest bid is £370
A Louis Vuitton bag (pictured) – one of just 50 ever made – makes up lot 137. The current highest bid is £595
An 18-karat ‘Gwyneth’ ring (pictured) makes up lot 9. The highest bid so far is £186
Lot 267 is a Dior bag (pictured). The current highest bid is £186
A ‘mom’ necklace (pictured) makes up lot 99. The current highest bid is £37
But when asked for her reasons, she said simply: ‘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.’
By the way, several items come with pictures of Gwyneth wearing them. You can register to bid in advance or bid during the live sale on the day.
The joy of a live auction is that some items might be fought over, while others will go for a song.
But there’s genuinely something in there for everyone.
- Bold Luxury: Gwyneth Paltrow Lexicon Of Style & The Archival Edit runs from March 24 to 25, starting at 6pm GMT. Register to bid at juliensauctions.com
- A portion of proceeds will go to charity World Central Kitchen
