Sotheby’s to Auction An Exclusive Pair of Bulgari Earrings to Benefit The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation CUSTOM-DESIGNED JEWEL INSPIRED BY THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF TAYLOR’S CLEOPATRA Offered in the Magnificent Jewels Auction At Sotheby’s New York on 11 December 2013 Our Coverage Sponsored by Paul Mayer Attitudes
Paul Mayer's luxuriously, comfortable designs keep women coming back for multiple -- even dozens -- of pairs. Classic, yet contemporary and always comfortable, his shoes are an addiction that we highly recommend. A staple of the Paul Mayer collection is the simple ballet-flat, with true ballerina construction for a perfect fit that comes in a variety of colors and materials. A cult favorite is the cozy, a flat with lavender-scent infused soles adding style and fragrance to collector's closets as Paul's designs emerge in sophisticated design incarnations season after season in the most incredible hues, textures and modern innovations in luxury footwear because we know firsthand how incredibly brilliant he is. Mayer founded the brand in 2004 with partner, Jeff Levy. All shoes in the line are manufactured in Spain’s Valencia region, along the Mediterranean coast by a skilled staff of 12 artisans. They craft each pair of shoes with an old-world attention to detail that includes in-house embroidery, quilting and stitching as well as custom tanned leather. This allows the brand to cater to each retailer’s specific demands in with timely and consistent alacrity, with orders completed in an unheard-of 3 to 5 weeks. In 2011, Paul Mayer stepped out into Manhattan's Upper East Side with a new attitude, opening his flagship store at 1388 Third Avenue. The store which cleverly resembles a pink and black shoebox offers up to 150 shoe styles, including his popular ballerinas, exclusive designs and more. As an added bonus, shoppers have the chance of running into the designer, himself. Paul's sage shopping advice and style eye has made him the New York shoe lover's best kept secret. When not in New York, Paul can be found traveling to his myriad of stores across the country meeting his loyal clientele or vacationing in his favorite spot, the Royal Hawaiian on Waikiki Beach.
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Sotheby’s is honored to announce that Bulgari will offer a custom-designed pair of earrings inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and her film CLEOPATRA – which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year – in the 11 December 2013 auction of Magnificent Jewels in New York. Bulgari will donate the full proceeds from the sale of the jewel, a Pair of 18 Karat Gold, Spinel, Turquoise and Diamond Earrings (est. $18/22,000*), to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF). The earrings will be featured in preview exhibitions at Sotheby’s London, Geneva and Los Angeles galleries, prior to the public exhibition in New York beginning 7 December**.
Bulgari has created these one-of-a-kind contemporary earrings – reflective of the dramatic colors and motifs of ancient Egypt – in honor of the 50th anniversary of the film CLEOPATRA. Considered one of the grandest cinematic spectacles of all time, CLEOPATRA took home four Academy Awards® and was the highest grossing movie of 1963. It was on the set of the film that the onscreen love affair between Cleopatra and Mark Antony spilled over into real life and its stars Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Their legendary romance not only captivated the world, it also began their enduring love of Bulgari’s jewelry.
The appearance of the Bulgari earrings at auction in December 2013 is part of an on-going global celebration of the film’s 50th anniversary and an exclusive partnership between Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Bulgari, which commemorates both the film and the legacy of its iconic stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. In tribute to Ms. Taylor, Bulgari will donate 100% of the proceeds of the sale of their earrings to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation in support of her courageous life’s work in raising awareness and providing care for those affected by HIV/AIDS around the world.
The 50th anniversary of CLEOPATRA also is honored this year by the film’s Blu-ray debut. The 2-Disc 50th Anniversary Edition, which debuted in May of this year, is artfully packaged with a full-color book featuring rare images that provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the making of this legendary film.
Sotheby’s New York
Magnificent Jewels
Auction 11 December 2013
Property of Bulgari, Sold to Benefit The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation
Pair of 18 Karat Gold, Spinel, Turquoise and Diamond Earrings, Bulgari
Estimate $18/22,000
ABOUT THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR AIDS FOUNDATION
The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) was established by Elizabeth Taylor in 1991 to raise funds and awareness to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS, and to provide assistance for those living with the virus. With its focus on direct care and prevention education, ETAF provides funding to AIDS organizations throughout the world, providing support services to populations in need.
The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (1) supports organizations delivering direct care and services to people living with HIV/AIDS, and (2) supports organizations that provide education to the public regarding the AIDS virus and the prevention of AIDS. ETAF provides financial support for organizations and entities both within the United States and internationally.
ETAF supports existing organizations and entities that have exhibited integrity in managing their operations along with the knowledge and ability to expediently provide services or achieve other designated goals.
For more information, visit www.elizabethtayloraidsfoundation.org.
**EXHIBITION CALENDAR
Sotheby’s London
25 – 29 October
Sotheby’s Geneva
9 – 12 November
Sotheby’s Los Angeles
17 November
Sotheby’s New York
7 – 10 December
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Sotheby’s has been uniting collectors with world-class works of art since 1744. Sotheby’s became the first international auction house when it expanded from London to New York (1955), the first to conduct sales in Hong Kong (1973) andFrance (2001), and the first international fine art auction house in China (2012). Today, Sotheby’s presents auctions in eight different salesrooms, including New York, London, Hong Kong and Paris, and Sotheby’s BidNow program allows visitors to view all auctions live online and place bids in real-time from anywhere in the world. Sotheby’s offers collectors the resources of Sotheby’s Financial Services, the world’s only full-service art financing company, as well as private saleopportunities in more than 70 categories, including S|2, the gallery arm of Sotheby’s Contemporary Art department, as well as Sotheby’s Diamonds andSotheby’s Wine. Sotheby’s has a global network of 90 offices in 40 countries and is the oldest company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (BID).
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium and prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
