Fashion lovers and fans of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy can now own a piece of her iconic ’90s wardrobe. Known for her effortless, minimalist style, Bessette-Kennedy’s clothing epitomized New York City chic with its elevated streetwear and polished silhouettes. And now, several of her most memorable pieces are hitting the auction block.
On November 27, three of Bessette-Kennedy’s legendary coats will be available for bidding at Sotheby’s, according to WSJ Magazine. The auction will feature a faux-leopard coat, a black Prada trench, and a Yohji Yamamoto jacket—items she wore to high-profile events such as Bill Clinton’s 1997 inauguration and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Medal event, Marie Claire reports. Fans can also view the collection on display in New York City starting December 5, with the auction concluding on December 17.
The auction is made possible thanks to RoseMarie Terenzio, John F. Kennedy Jr.’s former assistant. Terenzio, who received the coats as gifts from a fashion publicist, has shared that Bessette-Kennedy even lent her the iconic leopard-print coat for a date, later encouraging her to keep it.
“There is no greater expression of someone’s life than their clothes,” says Sotheby’s fashion specialist Lucy Bishop, as quoted in Marie Claire. Bishop highlights the significance of these pieces, noting that while much has been written about Bessette-Kennedy’s minimalist, era-defining style, her personal wardrobe has rarely been publicly accessible. These garments offer a window into her tragically short but influential life.
Bishop also emphasizes that the three coats embody Bessette-Kennedy’s practical yet sophisticated approach to fashion as a businesswoman and socialite. “These are the clothes of a woman navigating the streets of New York while attending exclusive evening events,” she explains. “Her choices were always functional, but she managed to look polished at every turn. Carolyn understood the power of fashion in everyday life, which is why her style remains so admired and emulated by women around the world.”