Tulle Triumph: Sarah Jessica Parker’s ‘Sex and the City’ Tutu Shatters Expectations, Commands $52,000 at Auction
In a dazzling spectacle of fashion history, the iconic oyster-white, three-tier tutu worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in the opening credits of “Sex and the City” took the auction world by storm. The much-coveted piece, initially estimated to fetch $8,000-12,000, surpassed all expectations, ultimately selling for a jaw-dropping $52,000 at Julien’s Auctions in California.
With 24 bids pouring in, the tutu emerged as a star lot in the “Unstoppable: Signature Styles of Iconic Women in Fashion” auction, organized by Julien’s. The garment, a symbol of pop culture after Parker donned it as Carrie Bradshaw in the HBO series, has solidified its place as a timeless and cherished artifact.
Notably, the tutu’s new owner is none other than Patricia Field, the costume designer for “Sex and the City.” Field discovered the piece while perusing New York’s garment district and snagged it from a humble five-dollar bin. The story of this fashion find is chronicled in Field’s book “Pat in the City: My Life of Fashion, Style and Breaking All the Rules.”
The auction featured an array of other noteworthy items, including a black velvet cocktail dress worn by Princess Diana, which commanded a remarkable $325,000. Additionally, sequin-embellished paisley pants and matching shoes worn by Cher to the 2000 Vanity Fair Oscar’s after party sold for $5,715, and a custom-made onesie for Elle Woods’ pet chihuahua from “Legally Blonde” fetched $1,625.
The unprecedented success of the ‘Sex and the City’ tutu sale not only celebrates the enduring influence of the show but also underscores the profound impact of iconic fashion pieces on popular culture.