Sotheby’s to offer jewels from Estée Lauder & Evelyn H. Lauder in December
NEW YORK, November 2012 – Sotheby’s said it will offer jewelry from the collections of Mrs. Estée Lauder and Mrs. Evelyn H. Lauder as part of its Magnificent Jewels auction in New York on 5 December 2012.
Proceeds from the more than 35 pieces – together estimated in excess of $13 million – will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®, an organization founded and championed by Evelyn Lauder.
Highlights from the collections will travel to Geneva, London and Los Angeles this fall, before returning to New York for exhibition beginning 1 December.
Additional pieces from the collections will be offered in the New York auction of Important Jewels in February 2013, also sold to benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Mr. Leonard A. Lauder, Chairman Emeritus, The Estée Lauder Companies and Acting Chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, said, “Each piece of jewelry is unique and very special. They were each designed to be timeless pieces that also manifest exceptional style and taste.”
Estée Lauder
A visionary entrepreneur who believed all women could be beautiful, Estée Lauder (1906-2004) instinctively understood the power of beauty.
Her dedication and hard work transformed the fledgling business she launched in 1946 with four products into today’s global leader in prestige beauty.
Mrs. Lauder got her start selling skin care products developed by her uncle, a chemist, in local beauty salons and hotels.
She believed in the power of word of mouth and that sampling products sealed a sale, pioneering personalized beauty consultation and Gift with Purchase promotions.
She was the recipient of many prestigious honors, including France’s Legion of Honor in 1978 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2004.
Evelyn H. Lauder
Evelyn H. Lauder (1936-2011) was the Senior Corporate Vice President and Head of Fragrance Development Worldwide for The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Her life is a remarkable American success story: born in Vienna, Austria, her parents fled from Europe at the outset of World War II, eventually settling in New York City.
She was proud to have attended New York City public schools and Hunter College, where she met Leonard A. Lauder as a freshman.
The two married in 1959, and Mrs. Lauder began her more than 50 years with the family company, contributing her invaluable insights into fashion trends, consumers’ changing needs, and new approaches to the development of innovative skin care, makeup and fragrance products.
Mrs. Lauder was perhaps best known to the public for her work in bringing global awareness to the importance of women’s health.
In 1992, Mrs. Lauder co-created the now-ubiquitous Pink Ribbon with SELF magazine, and launched The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign.
Mrs. Lauder was also Chairman of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which she founded in 1993.
She was passionately committed to preventing and finding a cure for breast cancer.
The Lauder Jewels
Comprising exceptional white and fancy colored diamonds and jewels from houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Harry Winston, and Oscar Heyman, the Lauder collections exemplify exceptional quality and timeless elegance.
Most notable among the many highlights in Evelyn Lauder’s collection is a rare and magnificent Fancy Intense Pink Diamond ring, its remarkable color bringing to mind the cause she so tirelessly championed.
At the center of Estée Lauder’s collection is a large heart-shaped yellow diamond, formerly worn as a ring by the Duchess of Windsor and later mounted as a necklace for Mrs. Lauder by Van Cleef & Arpels.
The collections are completed by a very fine selection of wearable evening and daytime jewelry, all reflecting the classic style and good taste of the women who wore them.
