Jackie Kennedy’s second wedding to Aristotle Onassis in 1968 featured a more relaxed and unconventional wedding dress compared to her first marriage to John F. Kennedy. For her wedding on Onassis’s private Greek island, Skorpios, Jackie chose a Valentino high-neck lace top and pleated skirt from the designer’s spring 1968 collection. Marissa Speer, head of sale for designer handbags and fashion at Bonhams in the US, describes Jackie’s choice as groundbreaking for the time, representing a transition from the Queen of Camelot to Jackie O: style icon. The dress symbolized her making her own choices and showing her independence through her style.
Jackie Kennedy Onassis’s Valentino wedding dress is set to go up for auction later this month. It is believed that Jackie purchased the two-piece ensemble during a private showing of Valentino’s haute couture collection, along with several other dresses. Speer notes that Jackie wore a few Valentino outfits during the 1960s, making it a natural choice for her wedding dress. Valentino was growing in popularity during this time and continued to be prolific in the 1970s. Following Jackie’s death in 1994, the Valentino ensemble was gifted to a couple who worked on Onassis’s yacht, Christina, and will now be available for auction with an estimated value of $8,000 to $12,000.
In addition to Jackie Kennedy’s Valentino wedding dress, other items related to the Kennedy family are also up for auction. John F. Kennedy Jr’s Calvin Klein tuxedo and suit, as well as a Giorgio Armani coat, will be available for bidding alongside the iconic wedding dress. With Kim Kardashian already owning Jackie Kennedy’s vintage Cartier watch, there is speculation on whether she might acquire the former First Lady’s Valentino wedding dress as well. The auction presents an opportunity for collectors and fans of the Kennedy family to own a piece of history associated with the iconic figures.
The significance of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress lies in its representation of a shift in her personal style and portrayal as a public figure. Moving away from the traditional couture gown she wore for her first wedding, Jackie’s Valentino ensemble reflects a more modern and independent image. The dress captures a moment in time when Jackie was asserting her own choices and establishing herself as a style icon. This evolution in her fashion choices resonates with her transition from the political sphere to a more private and personal realm.
The auction of Jackie Kennedy’s Valentino wedding dress, along with other Kennedy family items, offers a glimpse into the historical and cultural significance of these iconic figures. It provides an opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to own a tangible piece of the Kennedy legacy and to appreciate the contributions of Jackie Kennedy Onassis to fashion and style. The items up for auction represent not only personal possessions of the Kennedy family but also artifacts that carry with them the stories and memories of a bygone era. The bidding for these pieces allows individuals to connect with the legacy of Jackie Kennedy and the larger historical narrative in which she played a significant role.
As the auction of Jackie Kennedy’s Valentino wedding dress approaches, the anticipation and speculation surrounding the event continue to grow. With the potential for notable figures such as Kim Kardashian to participate in the bidding process, there is a sense of excitement and intrigue surrounding who will ultimately acquire these iconic pieces. The auction serves as a platform for celebrating the enduring legacy of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and the broader impact she had on fashion, style, and the public imagination. By engaging with these historical artifacts, participants can honor the memory of Jackie Kennedy and celebrate her contributions to American culture and society.
