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More Flavor: Shopping Vintage Couture and Accessories Auction: Leona Helmsley

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Leona Helmsley was a classic American success story, until the spectacular fall from grace that landed her in prison for embezzlement. The daughter of Polish immigrants (her given name was Lena Mindy Rosenthal), she dropped out of high school to make it big in Manhattan, joined a real-estate firm, and became a millionaire broker in her own right. She bumped up to billionaire status in the late '60s, when she married investor Harry Helmsley and began managing their hotel empire. Today's auction of vintage couture garments from Helmsley's estate includes Chanel suits, Bob Mackie gowns, Hermes handbags, full-length furs, Ferragamo shoes, and dozens of custom-made garments created by her personal dressmaker.

– Audrey Mast