Elton John opens his closet
Elton John is clearing out his closet this weekend for charity.
The star and his civil partner David Furnish are selling some of their designer clothes to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
This will be the fifth time they have held the sale, which raised £400,000 in 2002.
A pop-up shop will be opened tomorrow in Covent Garden, central London, for one week.
Prices range from £10 to £2,000 and some of the clothes up for grabs include John’s stage outfits. All profits will go to the charity.
Designer labels include Versace, Dior, Prada, McQueen, D&G and Jean Paul Gaultier and items ranging from accessories, clothes, luggage and sunglasses will be on sale.
John said: “Out The Closet has become an amazing fundraising opportunity for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. We always get a fantastic response from the public – I think the idea that the items we all buy and enjoy can help someone in dire need, particularly at this time of year, really strikes a chord. I’m so grateful for everyone’s support in making this happen.”
Furnish added: “The new stock in Out The Closet represents the largest clear out that I have ever had, and it’s exciting to think that my clothes will draw a whole new demographic into our shop. For the first time we have sunglasses in-store and other accessories which will make great Christmas gifts.”
The US branch of the charity was opened in 1992, with a UK branch added a year later.
Both aim to support innovative HIV prevention programs, efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS, and direct care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Together, they have raised $150 million to support of projects in 55 countries around the world since opening.
The store opens tomorrow until December 18th. Out of the Closet, Flower Cellars, 8-12 Russell Street, Covent Garden, London WC2.
