Peter Simon

The top lot was an early Vasily Kandinsky, which sold for roughly $42 million.

The night began with the collection of Peter Simon, founder of the British retailers Monsoon and Accessorize, and that made about $142 million.

A second sale followed of modern and contemporary names, totaling $147 million.

That edged out last year's comparable sale.

Andy Warhol.

And there's a remarkable collection belonging to Peter Simon.

You may not know the name, but you know his shops.

Monsoon.

Accessorize.

Peter Simon started out travelling through Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan to India.

He became fascinated by Indian textiles.

The colours.