Lot 86: Vintage Anne Klein Bracelet

Those are not blurred photos; it’s a design of a bracelet! This absolutely charming bracelet by American brand Anne Klein makes us feel like we’ve stepped into the movie "Deconstructing Harry," where Robin Williams' character became unfocused and softened both in life and on camera. 



Bracelet in a good vintage condition. Its length is 17,5 cm. Also we have clip-on earrings by the same brand. 

Anne Klein started her company as a consulting studio helping other fashion brands to grow. Eventually, she created her own brand, which began with sportswear. Anne Klein became famous in the 1950s when she launched a line of separates—blouses, pants, skirts, and jackets that clients could wear separately and combine in different ways. Her clothes were simple and wearable. Harper's Bazaar calls Anne Klein "the legendary designer who changed the way American women dressed".

In 1973, Anne Klein participated in a significant fashion event that the press dubbed the "Battle of Versailles." This charity event aimed to raise funds for the restoration of the Palace of Versailles.  Five major French designers gathered at this historic location: Marc Bohan for Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Hubert de Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, and Emanuel Ungaro, alongside five American designers: Bill Blass, Stephen Burrows, Oscar de la Renta, Halston, and Anne Klein. Although the designers did not compete in the literal sense, this event provided Americans an opportunity to showcase their significance in fashion, and for the French to see and acknowledge it.

Anne Klein was the only woman among the ten designers at the "Battle of Versailles." Donna Karan, who was Anne Klein's right hand at the time, told WWD that Klein wasn't very welcomed as a woman and was sent to the basement of the palace to prepare the collection for the show. However, the public was eventually amazed by her designs. Karan stated, “The Americans were just so far into the future. It was about ease of dressing, day to night,” she continued. “[Klein] was ahead of the game.”


Photo fairchild archive/penske media/shutterstock

After her death in 1974 Donna Karan and Louis Dell’Olio took over the design direction of the company. 

The brand continued to produce wearable items for women's wardrobes and bold costume jewelry. In the 1980s and 90s, some of the most iconic models appeared in the brand's ad campaigns, including Linda Evangelista, Yasmeen Ghauri, and Christy Turlington.