Hot on the heels of last week’s New York sales, the art world continues its record-breaking streak, this time making a splash in Hong Kong. Sotheby’s Maison, synonymous with luxury and groundbreaking auctions, recently hosted the Masterpieces of Asian Art from the Okada Museum of Art Auction, delivering a “white-glove result” that sent ripples through the global art market. The total sales for the night hit an astonishing HK $688 million (US $88 million), cementing its place in the record books.

The undeniable star of the evening was Katsushika Hokusai’s iconic woodblock print, “The Great Wave: Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa-oki nami-ura).” Part of the artist’s celebrated “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” series, this instantly recognizable masterpiece fetched a staggering HK $21.7 million (US $2.8 million). The sale nearly tripled its high estimate and set a new world record for the print.

However, the buzz didn’t stop with Hokusai’s historic auction achievement; as CC Xichu Wang, Sotheby’s Director and Head of Business Development, Greater China, skillfully dropped the hammer on 19 lots, including “The Great Wave,” netizens worldwide couldn’t help but notice something else. Online forums and social media platforms lit up with positive comments about Wang’s impeccable attire during the bidding.

In an era where online engagement is paramount, her stylish presence became a talking point, fusing the gravitas of a high-stakes art auction with the relatable, trend-aware sensibilities of a global, youth-centric audience. It seems that at Sotheby’s Hong Kong, art isn’t the only thing making a statement; fashion, too, is making its mark, proving that contemporary culture finds its icons in unexpected places.

Watch the gripping (if you’re into that sort of thing) auction in action from the video below:

Cover image via Art News.