A SHOWCASE of WOMENS FASHION and ACCESSORIES
E x p r e s s i o n O f
A great philanthropist and lover of the arts, Sydell Miller wore the fashion version of Picasso. A passionate advocate of the artform of haute couture, she had a real appreciation for quality and detail, in particular a fondness for the beautiful work of Valentino and Chanel. Her collection – assembled over the last 20 years of her life – reveals that her keen eye for fashion never faded.
Lucy Bishop, Sotheby’ s fashion specialist
A LEGACY OF BEAUTY, THE COLLECTION OF SYDELL MILLER
Revealing the fashion & jewelry collection assembled by the trailblazing beauty entrepreneur & philanthropist
Known to many as the“ queen of the beauty industry”, Sydell Miller was guided by her family’ s mantra- Think, Believe, Dream, Dare- in every aspect of her life. From her innumerable philanthropic endeavors to the collection of fine art and design that she surrounded herself with, Miller lived a life of beauty, both inside and out.
Sotheby’ s unveiled contents of Miller’ s exquisite fashion and jewelry collection. Her couture wardrobe and designer handbags were offered in a dedicated online sale. Miller’ s style was confident and selfdefined, illustrated by her array of Chanel haute couture ensembles, an exquisite selection of luxury handbags by the house, as well as examples by Louis Vuitton, Dior, and the coveted Hermès Kelly bag. In particular, the collection boasts a depth of Chanel’ s most iconic creation – the tweed suit – which combined comfort and practicality with timeless elegance. Mademoiselle Chanel’ s revolutionary philosophy no doubt attracted Miller to the Maison’ s designs.
Similarly, she approached jewelry with a deep appreciation for its artistry, viewing it as an essential part of her self-expression. She curated an extensive collection that ranged from stately diamond jewels by Graff and Harry Winston to artistic pieces from Hemmerle, Sabbadini and David Webb. Her journey as a collector was defined by a love for discovering beauty in all its forms and building lasting relationships with the creators behind the pieces.
Sydell’ s story is one of empowerment and vision. As a pioneering leader in the beauty industry, she built a legacy that demonstrated the power of self-determination and creativity. Sydell believed that true luxury should be accessible to all women.
From Left to Right
Chanel Black Lambskin and Gold Metal Clutch Gold Hardware, 2019
Chanel Métiers d ' Art Black and Gold Sequin Mini Rectangle Classic Single Flap Black Enamel Hardware, 2019
Chanel Black Lambskin and Shiny Lizard Boy Wallet on Chain WOC Aged Gold Hardware, 2018-2019
Image courtesy of Frank Frances.
18 THE ART OF APPRECIATION