A clothes auction that received celebrity donations from the likes of Kate Moss, David Tennant and Dame Joanna Lumley has raised more than £23,000 for charity.
The Diary Of A Wardrobe auction, inspired by Absolutely Fabulous star Jane Horrocks, saw nearly 60 items go under the hammer and raise £23,355, with proceeds going to the UK’s leading end-of-life charity Marie Curie.
The top sellers included a Chanel jacket worn by Dame Joanna’s character Patsy in the famous sitcom she starred in alongside Horrocks and Jennifer Saunders which sold for £2,000.
A pair of So Kate Christian Louboutin shoes donated by supermodel Moss, with an estimated price of £200 to £300, sold for £1,500.
Some of the auction lots included special extras, with many items complimented by a handwritten note from the celebrity or VIP donor.
Several genuine Downton Abbey costumes were sold too, including the auction’s top seller, a gold evening dress worn in the show by Lady Edith (Laura Carmichael) which sold for £2,400.
A suit worn by Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) fetched £1,300 and all together the five costumes from the show raised £6,500 for the charity.
Among the celebrity donors were pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor, actor Stephen Fry, veteran model Twiggy, comedian Mel Giedroyc, singer Lulu and actresses Dame Julie Walters and Dame Emma Thompson.
Horrocks said: “The auction was so much fun, playing at being an auctioneer myself with the gavel was a blast but the real thrill was seeing all the bids coming through and seeing the total we were raising increase throughout the afternoon.
“I always hoped this auction would raise lots of money for Marie Curie, an amazing charity which is so close to my heart, but seeing the incredible total we’ve raised and knowing what a difference it will make is phenomenal.
“Congratulations to all the successful bidders on your new pieces, I hope you treasure and enjoy them as much as I know I have with my donated items. A big thank you to the generous celebrities and VIPs who donated pieces to help make it such a unique and successful event.”
Elena Jackson, head of vintage fashion and antique textiles and auctioneer at Ewbank’s Auction’s, Surrey, said: “It’s been wonderful to see how many celebrities have supported this auction.
“I’m not surprised the AbFab and Downton Abbey costumes were popular as both have huge appeal to fans and collectors.
“We’re so pleased we’ve been able to support Marie Curie with this fun and unique auction, and help them to raise some vital funds to continue the brilliant work that they do to ensure people at the end of life have the dignity and respect they deserve.”
Marie Curie says the money raised was equivalent to funding approximately 1,000 hours of expert nursing care for people living with terminal illness.
After this year’s fundraising effort, the charity has announced plans to hold the auction again in 2025.
Any well-known faces who want to donate can contact Marie Curie at celebrities@mariecurie.org.uk
