MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — On the heels of Valentine’s Day, the Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc. will feature the estate of matchmaker Denise Winston at its Red Carpet auction on Wednesday, February 23, starting at 10 am Eastern time. The sale will include more than 200 lots of items from her estate such as rugs, art, fashion, fine crystal and glass, sculpture and furniture, as well as choice pieces from other estates. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.
The New York socialite, who died in January 2020, had her own boutique business as a matchmaker and love coach. Winston traveled in elite circles, hobnobbing with celebrities and affluent clients at chic restaurants or courtside at Knicks games. She even consulted on the 1996 film Emma, which starred Gwyneth Paltrow as a young woman who acts as a matchmaker in her community.
“Denise was known as the Rolls-Royce of matchmakers, who took pride in her work and in her own home that doubled as her office, where she created a warm and comfortable space,” said Pam Stone, owner and founder of The Benefit Shop Foundation, Inc. “She had quite interesting tastes from striking artwork that included both classic and contemporary scenes to designer goods, sculpture, ceramics and fun costume jewelry.”
In keeping with her lifestyle, Denise had many elegant handbags from renowned designers, including a Fendi limited edition beaded silk purse covered in seed beads and sequins and fitted with a fuzzy handle and gold tone metal hardware, estimated at $200-$800; three Hermes Birkin TOGO bags, including one in the firm’s signature orange color, one in red and a blue jean bag; a vintage Prada nylon and leather mini backpack, estimated at $200-$600; a Salvatore Ferragamo bucket bag, estimated at $200-$600; a Louis Vuitton monogram handbag, estimated at $200-$600; and a Judith Leiber crystal cabochon minaudiere, estimated at $100-$500.
Complementing the handbags is a selection of jewelry led by a Bulgari Parentesi 18K yellow gold and diamond cuff bracelet with interlocking pieces, estimated at $500-$2,000.
Buyers looking to redecorate their homes will find plenty of options. Highlighting the furniture category is a Hans Wegner for PP Mobler halyard lounge chair with a plaited halyard seat and back along with a sheepskin cushion. It is estimated at $500-$2,000.
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