Barneys’ Phyllis and Fred Pressman Collection Heads to Auction

By Annie Davidson Watson | September 08, 2025

On Sept. 16, Freeman’s | Hindman will host a series of auctions, debuting the Phyllis and Fred Pressman Collection in its Important Jewelry sale. The sales honor the legacy of the visionary couple who transformed Barneys New York into a global fashion destination and built a collection that reflected their discerning taste and entrepreneurial spirit.

Fred Pressman, former CEO of Barneys and son of the company’s founders, carried forward the family’s legacy by elevating retail into an immersive, aspirational experience. His wife, Phyllis, became the creative force behind the brand’s most transformative years. Her creation of Chelsea Passage, Barneys’ celebrated home design department, brought artisans and designers from around the world to a wider audience, cementing her reputation as a tastemaker with an intuitive eye for beauty and innovation.

Now their private world will be unveiled across five auctions, beginning with jewelry and followed by dedicated sales of decorative arts, postwar and contemporary works, American Impressionist paintings, and luxury handbags. From their residences in New York, Southampton, and Palm Beach, the Pressmans assembled an extraordinary collection that speaks to refinement, craftsmanship, and timeless style.

sapphire diamond necklace — *Necklace in platinum with 30-35 cts. t.w. oval and cushion-cut sapphires and 30-34 cts. t.w. round, pear, marquise-cut diamonds, estimate $50,000-$75,000*

Among the highlights of the opening jewelry auction are Phyllis Pressman’s personal treasures from Bulgari, Harry Winston, and Van Cleef & Arpels. Freeman’s | Hindman’s senior vice president and head of the jewelry department, April Matteini, describes the offering to JCK: “This collection is thrilling to introduce to the market because it is fabulous jewelry from the personal collection of a visionary tastemaker. Many people have fond memories or coveted pieces from Barneys, and we are offering a glimpse into the pieces Phyllis Pressman chose for her personal collection.”

Bulgari set — Bulgari necklace in 18k yellow gold with approximately 32-34 cts. t.w. diamonds, estimate $30,000-$50,000, and bracelet in 18k yellow gold with approximately 20-22 cts. t.w. diamonds, estimate $12,000-$18,000

Matteini adds: “There are many exceptional pieces in the collection, including an emerald-cut diamond and an extraordinary rivière necklace with approximately 40 carats of diamonds, but one of the standouts is a Bulgari yellow gold and diamond collar and matching bracelet from the 1980s.”

At top: Fred and Phyllis Pressman

(Photos courtesy of Freeman’s | Hindman)

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