Christie’s

On Joopiter, style storytelling and investment dressing for the hype set



Joopiter by Pharrell Williams

Hot retail news of the month so far comes from Pharrell Williams’ new online auction platform, Joopiter. “Pioneering a modern collecting economy”, it’s a way to sell off his extensive (11-storage units worth) archive of cultural artefacts, while the site simultaneously serves as an online archive of the archive, complete with content to add cultural clout to the pieces.

The first sale goes live next week (but previews from today here) and will consist of one-off items such as an 18k gold Jacob & Co BlackBerry (est sale price $15k-$25k) and blinged-out Swarovski-ed Stan Smiths (est sale price $2,500-$3,500).

Why should we care? (more…)

0 Comments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,



What happened when Lisa Eldridge won Audrey Hepburn’s lipstick at auction



Audrey Hepburn Cartier lipstick

“Audrey Hepburn’s lipstick holder should be owned by one person on this earth, and that is me.”

Auctions are the epitome of experiential retail. A thrilling experience, they combine drama, desire, competition, social interaction and a bit of a gambler mentality. I’ve only been to an auction once, years ago, a Christie’s sale of pop art posters and design. It was relatively tame and we ended up with a much-loved Robert Indiana LOVE poster that I *think* Tommy Roberts (of Mr Freedom and Tom Tom fame) also bid for.

If you want a sense of what it’s like to bid for something really coveted, watch Lisa Eldridge’s account of bidding for Audrey Hepburn’s Cartier lipstick holder. (more…)

6 Comments , , , , , , , , , ,



Keith Haring’s tech-art prophecy



Keith Haring untitled 1984

I saw this brilliant Keith Haring painting (‘Untitled’) last week at a preview for the Christie’s Post-War and Contemporary Art evening auction. It was painted in 1984, the beginning of the Mac computers era, and the pyramid with the raised hands underneath is supposed to represent the idea of the false worship of technology. How prophetic! (more…)

0 Comments , , , ,



On my radar: a cache of vintage Judith Leiber minaudieres for sale



Judith Leiber minaudiere Lot 184 Christies bags and accessories sale 2017

I bet you didn’t have me down as a Judith Leiber kind of girl. But I have a secret thing for these teeny tiny kitsch crystal-covered minaudieres. They’re like pieces of jewellery really, there’s no way you’re getting more than a lipstick and a pound coin in there.

Judith Leiber started her company in New York in 1963, an émigré from Budapest who designed handbags in her head to get her through the misery of living in one room with 26 others during WW2. (more…)

5 Comments , , , , , , , ,



1 2