NEW YORK, NY.- Known to many as the “queen of the beauty industry”, Sydell Miller was guided by her family’s mantra - Think, Believe, Dream, Dare - in every aspect of her life. From her innumerable philanthropic endeavors to the collection of fine art and design that she surrounded herself with, Miller lived a life of beauty, both inside and out. This November, Miller’s extraordinary collection will take center stage as the crown jewel of Sotheby’s marquee sales week in New York. Encompassing masterpieces of Modern and Contemporary art, sculpture, and icons of design, this collection unites the finest works across periods, styles, and forms.
Today, Sotheby’s unveiled contents of Miller’s exquisite fashion and jewelry collection. Her couture wardrobe and designer handbags will be offered in a dedicated online sale, A Legacy of Beauty: The Fashion Collection of Sydell Miller Online Auction, on 8 - 26 November. Miller’s style was confident and self-defined, illustrated by her array of Chanel haute couture ensembles, an exquisite selection of luxury handbags by the house, as well as examples by Louis Vuitton, Dior, and the coveted Hermès Kelly bag. In particular, the collection boasts a depth of Chanel’s most iconic creation – the tweed suit – which combined comfort and practicality with timeless elegance. Mademoiselle Chanel’s revolutionary philosophy no doubt attracted Miller to the Maison’s designs.
Similarly, she approached jewelry with a deep appreciation for its artistry, viewing it as an essential part of her self-expression. She curated an extensive collection that ranged from stately diamond jewels by Graff and Harry Winston to artistic pieces from Hemmerle, Sabbadini and David Webb. Her journey as a collector was defined by a love for discovering beauty in all its forms and building lasting relationships with the creators behind the pieces. Nearly 100 exceptional items of her jewelry will be offered in Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels auction on 10 December and in the Fine Jewels online sale from 26 November–12 December.
Sydell’s story is one of empowerment and vision. As a pioneering leader in the beauty industry, she built a legacy that demonstrated the power of self-determination and creativity. Sydell believed that true luxury should be accessible to all women—a philosophy that lives on in Sotheby’s auctions, where select fashion, handbags, and jewelry lots will be offered at no reserve, inviting everyone to embrace elegance without limits.
A COLLECTING JOURNEY
Miller’s story began in earnest in the late 1950s, when Sydell Lubin sat in the chair of young stylist and salon owner Arnold Miller for a hair appointment. A smitten Arnold asked her out on a date, and when she inquired “which night”, his response was simply “all of them.” One week and a whirlwind succession of dates later, they were engaged. Together they created Ardell, introducing eyelashes as a professional salon service, and later co-founded Matrix Essentials in 1980, the most innovative professional salon company and the largest manufacturer of professional hair and beauty products. After her husband’s passing in the 90s, Miller took the helm of Matrix as CEO and President, leading the company to unprecedented success. A woman whose passion, drive, influence, and integrity touched more than seven million women per week internationally, Mrs. Miller was an inspiration and role model to women in business. A visionary entrepreneur, Sydell believed that beauty didn’t stop at the hairline, which led her to create the day spa experience, accessible to all women.
A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE COLLECTION
‘Beauty’ and ‘Sydell Miller’ are synonymous with one another. The renowned entrepreneur shared remarkable similarities with another legendary businesswoman: Coco Chanel. Miller’s remarkable fashion collection comprises an array of Chanel haute couture ensembles, alongside an exquisite selection of luxury handbags by the house, as well as examples by Louis Vuitton, Dior, and the coveted Hermès Kelly bag.
Chanel’s most iconic creation – the tweed suit – combined comfort and practicality with timeless elegance, changing the way women dressed forever. In a similar spirit, Sydell transformed the beauty industry, introducing eyelashes as a professional salon service, and later co-founded Matrix Essentials in 1980, the most innovative professional salon company and the largest manufacturer of professional hair and beauty products, and creating the day spa experience. Both women single-handedly revolutionized their respective realms of design.
A life-long lover of fashion, one of Sydell’s first forays into business was to open a women’s fashion boutique called ‘Tops & Bottoms’ – which challenged the societal norms of women’s wardrobes, boldly offering separates in an era when women typically wore dresses. Later in life, she indulged in her passion for fashion, becoming part of one of the most exclusive clubs in the world: a Chanel haute couture client.
Chanel embodies the very essence of Sydell: a woman with a deep appreciation of art and beauty in all forms, from the Monet she hung on her wall, to the Chanel couture hanging in her closet. It is touching to witness that Sydell’s kind and supportive nature also extended to the un-lauded talents of the skilled artisans working within the ateliers of haute couture. Arguably the rarest of all art-forms created by the human hand, haute couture is rarely made available to the public. Every stitch, meticulously coiled ribbon and button is an homage to Sydell, and to the pioneering women who came before her.
Sydell Miller’s style was confident and self-defined. She crafted an aesthetic where every detail was thoughtfully harmonized. For Sydell, fashion was about embracing joy, individuality, and a statement of elegance. Sydell wore each piece with a graceful confidence that allowed the jewelry’s artistry to shine. Among the highlights is her stunning 22-carat Graff diamond ring; a reflection of her love for bold, statement jewelry. Just as fine art and design coexisted seamlessly in her home, her couture and jewelry collection allowed her to mix and match effortlessly, elevating her style for any occasion. Whether attending a black-tie gala in Palm Beach or hosting a private dinner at home, she had a natural ability to make each piece resonate with her refined sense of style.
Her journey as a collector was defined by a love for discovering beauty in all its forms and building lasting relationships with the creators behind the pieces. Through close collaboration with Laurence Graff, some pieces were custom-crafted for her. Equally, a gold, diamond, and aquamarine earrings and ring set by Sabbadini reflects her affinity for timeless designs. Sydell also cherished her relationship with Hemmerle, the fourth generation family-run house at the vanguard of jewelry design, known for their innovative approach and masterful craftsmanship.
Sydell’s story is one of empowerment and vision. As a pioneering leader in the beauty industry, she exemplified the power of self-determination and creativity. This sense of self extended beyond her professional achievements and profoundly influenced her approach to collecting jewelry. At a time when many women awaited gifts, she boldly embraced self- expression and independence. Her passion for jewelry transcended adornment; it became a celebration of her identity. Each piece she acquired reflected her daring spirit, confidence and individuality.
SYDELL MILLER’ S LEGACY & PHILANTHROPY
Sydell Miller was a gracious host, known for her kindness and compassion and remaining true to her core values throughout her life. She was, in the words of those close to her, “as sweet as the chocolate she loved.” Guided by this spirit of generosity, the Miller name has long been synonymous with charitable giving. She served on the boards of the American Cancer Society of Palm Beach, BBSI, the Cleveland Clinic, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, Norton Museum of Art, Palm Beach Civic Association, and Palm Beach County United Way. In her later life, Sydell Miller’s devotion to philanthropy took center stage. Among the many institutions and causes that she championed was the Cleveland Clinic, home to the Sydell & Arnold Miller Family Pavilion and Heart and Vascular Institute – now the top-ranked cardiology hospital in the United States.
Miller was also the recipient of many prestigious awards. She was the first non hairdresser elected to the National Cosmetology Association’s Hall of Fame, named one of the “Top 50 Women Business Owners in America” by Working Women Magazine, and received the Beauty Changes Lives Foundation Legacy Award, creating countless scholarships for cosmetology students.
Her remarkable legacy lives on in these philanthropic endeavors, and in tribute to her commitment to charity, a portion of the auction proceeds will benefit Cleveland Clinic Women’s Comprehensive Health and Research Center, Cleveland Museum of Art, and Sydell L. Miller Elephant Care & Visitor Center at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
