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.
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.
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.
