Keaton’s closet opens: hundreds of personal belongings set to auction
Diane Keaton’s intensely personal world is about to be unleashed upon the collecting community. Hundreds of items – from iconic bowler hats to meticulously curated artwork – are slated for auction this June, offering a rare glimpse into the mind of a style icon.
A collection of singular vision
Bonhams is hosting a series of sales, beginning with ‘The Diane Keaton Collection: Architecture of an Icon,’ a live auction in New York on June 8th. Over 50 lots are up for grabs, representing a lifetime of considered choices and a distinctive aesthetic. We’re talking about a trademark bowler hat, a cabinet crammed with curiosities from her office at Something’s Gotta Give, and even a handwritten script – the original, unedited version – of Annie Hall.
But this isn’t just about the singular. Keaton’s approach was predicated on a deeply layered understanding of form and function. The sheer breadth of the offering – three online auctions, encompassing ‘Tailored & Timeless,’ ‘At Home with Diane,’ and ‘Chapters of an Edited Life’ – suggests a vast, almost obsessive, curation of her surroundings and creative output.
Beyond the black and white
‘Tailored & Timeless’ promises a treasure trove of vintage clothing and accessories, including pieces from Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, and Comme des Garçons. Expect to see a significant investment in her signature monochrome palette. The estimated value of the metal step ladder, pre-accessorized with a top hat, is a surprisingly modest $1,000 to $1,500 – a testament to the enduring appeal of her understated elegance.
‘At Home with Diane’ will offer a more intimate look at her residences, with furniture and decor that speak volumes about her considered, almost austere, approach to domesticity. Two California hillside pottery cement planters, too, are entering the fray, demonstrating a commitment to functional beauty. And ‘Chapters of an Edited Life’ will present Keaton’s personal art, books, and ephemera, revealing a meticulously documented history.
A legacy of observation
Dorrie Hall, speaking on behalf of the collection, described Keaton’s approach as “instinct, an unerring visual and creative intuition.” It’s a sentiment that cuts through the noise of celebrity excess and highlights the truly rare ability to synthesize influences – to see, not just look. The auction represents more than just the sale of objects; it’s the offering of a carefully constructed world, a testament to a singular and uncompromising vision. The sheer volume of items suggests a lifetime devoted to observation, a discipline rarely afforded in our increasingly frenetic world.
The projected value of the original Annie Hall script alone is estimated between $8,000 and $12,000 – a figure that speaks volumes about the enduring impact of Keaton’s work.