The celebrated Valentino dress worn by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis at her wedding to Aristotle Onassis is poised for the auction block at Bonhams. The late First Lady’s wedding ensemble, notable for its unique design and history, will be available for online bidding from September 16–26, with an opening estimate of $8,000 to $12,000.
LONDON — Spotlight continues to shine on figures associated with the late Greek magnate Aristotle Onassis. Following the premiere of a biopic on his renowned former lover, Maria Callas, starring Angelina Jolie, the sartorial elegance of his wife and former First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, is again in the limelight as her Valentino wedding dress is set for auction.
Kennedy Onassis wore this significant ensemble on October 20, 1968, for her marriage to Onassis on the serene private island of Skorpios. Her choice—a departure from traditional bridal wear—consisted of a beige lace turtleneck bodice with delicate pearl buttons and bishop sleeves, paired with a pleated skirt cut above the knee. Accessorized with a simple bow in her hair, her outfit represented a bold, modern interpretation of bridal fashion for the era.
This distinctive Valentino creation originally appeared in the designer’s Spring 1968 haute couture collection. Its initial outing was at the May 1968 wedding of Bunny Mellon’s daughter in which Kennedy Onassis was a guest. Valentino crafted a fresh version of the dress specifically for her nuptials to Onassis.
Presently, the dress is owned by a couple who formed a close bond with the Onassis couple on their yacht, Christina O. The couple, motivated by their affection for Jackie, have preserved this piece for decades, ensuring its legacy remains intact despite the passage of time.
Marissa Speer, Bonhams’ head of sale for handbags and fashion, remarks on Jackie O’s decision: “She chose this beautiful Valentino piece, signaling how Jackie [had] truly found her voice.” Her fashion choice continues to resonate as an emblem of independence and style evolution, symbolizing a move from traditional bridal expectations.
Furthermore, Jackie’s choice of attire reflected more than fashion; it signified Kennedy Onassis’ assertiveness in her own decisions. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world in the late ’60s, she was setting new standards by opting for a shorter, more contemporary look.
Despite its historical significance and the fascination surrounding Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, her wedding to Onassis stirred personal drama—highlighted in Peter Bevans’ book, “Nemesis: The True Story of Aristotle Onassis, Jackie O, and the Love Triangle That Brought Down the Kennedys,” which recounts a private moment just before her wedding ceremony.
Kennedy Onassis’ influence continues to impart value, underscoring the allure and collectibility of Valentino’s designs from the ’60s and early ’70s within the fashion world.