Bill Blass Archive Heads to Christie's Auction; Mary Heilmann Dies at 86
From September 9 to 23, Christie's will host an auction featuring 129 items from the personal collection of Bill Blass, titled 'Bill Blass: American Elegance.' A preview will take place at Christie's New York from September 8 to 13, followed by an exhibition at Blass's former town house from September 18 to 22. The auction's proceeds will support the Bill Blass company. Notable items include a plaid suit worn by Nancy Reagan in 1988 (estimated at $800–$1,200) and a gown donned by Beyoncé (estimated at $3,000–$5,000). This event aligns with New York Fashion Week and the celebration of America's 250th anniversary. Additionally, Bergdorf Goodman has launched a window display for Michael Kors's 45th anniversary. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will commence a three-year renovation of its Pickford Center this fall. Mary Heilmann, aged 86, has passed away.
Key facts
- Christie's will auction Bill Blass's archive September 9–23, 2026, with 129 pieces estimating over $150,000.
- Proceeds from the Bill Blass auction benefit the Bill Blass company.
- Nancy Reagan's 1988 plaid suit is a highlighted lot (est. $800–$1,200).
- Bergdorf Goodman's window installation honors Michael Kors's 45th anniversary and references the Metropolitan Opera House.
- The Academy's Pickford Center renovation will run three years, finishing by the end of 2029.
- ART KL debuts October 15–18, 2026, at A Place Where in Kuala Lumpur with ten galleries.
- Mary Heilmann, influential abstractionist, died at 86.
- A Marilyn Monroe collector Barbie is among the digest's other design news.
Entities
Artists
- Bill Blass
- Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
- Nancy Reagan
- Barbara Bush
- Gloria Vanderbilt
- Giorgio Armani
- Ralph Lauren
- Geoffrey Beene
- Diane Vreeland
- Michael Vollbracht
- Beyoncé
- Michael Kors
- Lea Michele
- Audra McDonald
- Judith Light
- Dawn Mello
- Mary Heilmann
- Pico Iyer
- Fernando Romero
- Homer
- Grandma Moses
- Anne Reeve
- Cj Hendry
- Yoshitomo Nara
- Geoffrey Bawa
- Lesleigh Jermanus
- Farhan Rizuwan
- Samantha Lee
- Wong Perng Fey
- Richard Koh
- Marilyn Monroe
Institutions
- Christie's
- Bergdorf Goodman
- Metropolitan Opera House
- Lincoln Center
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- Pickford Center for Motion Picture Study
- Linwood Dunn Theatre
- ART KL
- A Place Where (APW)
- Richard Koh Art Advisory
- Art Anonymous
- Galeri Sasha
- Intersections
- ISA Art Gallery
- Warin Lab Contemporary
- Zhan Art | Space
- Whitney Museum of American Art
- Whitechapel Gallery
- Dia Beacon
- MoMA
- National Gallery of Art
- Frieze London
- Frieze Masters
- UNESCO-UIA
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Fashion and Textile Museum
- Storm King Art Center
- David Zwirner
- Vitra Design Museum
- Art Week NYC
- Alémais
- InStyle
- Barbie
Locations
- New York City
- United States
- Fifth Avenue
- Hollywood
- Kuala Lumpur
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Jakarta
- Indonesia
- Bangkok
- Thailand
- Petaling Jaya
- Bay Area
- Japan
- Hokuriku region
- Kyoto
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- Beijing
- China
- Spain
- London
- United Kingdom