In 1997, when Patricia Field, the costume designer for Sex and the City, was tasked with picking out the ensemble that Sarah Jessica Parker was to wear into the opening scene of the show, she originally chose one of the latest runway dresses from Marc Jacobs. However, in a midtown showroom, she found a white tulle tutu in the $5 bin and immediately thought of Parker, who had a background in ballet. Instead of a dress that would quickly become so 'last season,' the tutu skirt with the silk waistband was timeless.
"We ended up shooting three outfit options for the show but this was by far the most original concept," recounted Patricia Field. "So, between me and Sarah Jessica's campaigning, in the end this tutu was chosen. And of course now it has become an iconic image in TV history."
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Due to the splash aspect of the opening scene, five tutus were needed to complete filming. On 18 January 2024, one of these five original tutus came up for auction at Julien's in Beverly Hills, California as part of their 'Unstoppable: Signature Styles Iconic Women In Fashion' auction. Originally estimated at $8,000-12,000, the tutu surpassed all expectations and sold for $52,000 (around £40,000), emphasising its importance as a symbol of pop culture. Since the series' debut in 1998, Carrie Bradshaw became a fashion icon for her mix of thrifted picks and designer styles.
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Other highlights from the sale included a Catherine Walker black and white cocktail dress worn by Princess Diana (sold for $325,000) and the Givenchy ensemble worn by Princess Grace Kelly to meet President John F. Kennedy at the White House in 1961 (also sold for $325,000).
