Elton John sells off his personal wardrobe on eBay for Aids Foundation

Elton John Sells Personal Wardrobe on eBay for Charity

Elton John – a man known for outfits that range from Louis XVI cosplay to a Donald Duck sailor suit – is selling his personal wardrobe on eBay.

While it’s not stage wear, the 250-odd items represent the extrovert style for which John is known. The collection includes a significant number of colourful printed shirts made by Gianni Versace, the founder of the Versace brand who was murdered in 1997, as well as other designer items from Yohji Yamamoto, Gucci and Richard James. The letter E for Elton adorns pieces including a Gucci Varsity jacket and a pair of Prada loafers.

Off-duty items will also appear, such as a number of Adidas tracksuits and Versace dressing gowns. There are pieces of concert merch including a Gucci bag for the farewell tour that ended last year and a T-shirt designed by Gianni Versace for John’s 1992-93 The One tour, while John’s love of football (he was formerly chair of Watford football club) is also represented – with a Bristol City FC shirt.

Donations from Designer Friends

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In addition to John’s own wardrobe, the musician has asked his designer friends to donate items. Donatella Versace’s pieces will no doubt be the most popular among those interested in memorabilia and fashion history. A Versace two-piece of pastel-coloured chain mail with Versace’s trademark safety pins is also a highlight.

Raising Funds for the Elton John Aids Foundation

The auction is to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation, and is aligned with Pride month, running for 10 days.

Garments include a Gianni Versace ruffled shirt and a Gucci leather jacket, with 10 items having already been sold, including a pair of Paul Smith sunglasses for $350 (£276). A Versace jacket with lyrics from Elton John and Bernie Taupin already had 13 bids.

In a statement, John said he hoped the items would “inspire you to express your unique spirit and bring you as much joy as they’ve brought me. Whether you’re after high-end luxury or something more laid-back, there’s a perfect find for everyone. Even better, every pound goes to supporting the Elton John Aids Foundation’s work to end LGBTQ+ stigma.”

The musician said this collection came from his “Atlanta treasure trove”, implying he has similar collections across the US.

Stars such as Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo and Harry Styles’ stylist Harry Lambert have recently been hailed for selling off their wardrobes for good causes on the resale app Depop, but John is something of a pioneer here. He and his husband, David Furnish, have sold off their wardrobes in 2000, 2006 and 2009, with the proceeds going to charity.

John has also made money from auctions. The Collection of Elton John: Out of the Closet auction took place at Christie’s earlier this year, with some more stage-worthy pieces as lots. A green Mozart-style wig worn in concert in 1985 went for more than $4,000. It was part of a bigger sale of items, including John and Furnish’s Atlanta apartment.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:

   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
   • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

   • Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age, and key populations.
   • Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities.
   • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
   • Indicator 12.5.1: National recycling rate, tons of material recycled.
   • Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar), disaggregated by sex, age group, and persons with disabilities.
   • Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: theguardian.com