Lady Gaga has splashed out $133,000 on an Alexander McQueen gown in a charity auction held by beer heiress Daphne Guinness.
Guinness held a wardrobe clear-out on Tuesday night, raising $746,000 for the Isabella Blow Foundation at Christie’s – more than four times the $150,000 estimate. The auction saw respective world record auction prices achieved for photographer Mario Testino, designer Christian Lacroix and – thanks to Gaga – McQueen.
The McQueen dress bought by the singer was an ivory silk tulle empire line gown, which surged past its original auction estimate of $23,000-$30,000. The foundation the star helped to support with her purchase was named after Isabella Blow, an acclaimed fashion stylist who took her own life in 2007, and aims to facilitate further research in the fields of depression and mental health.
Writing on Twitter the day following the auction, Gaga said:
“I am a passionate fashion collector and feel honored to support The Isabella Blow Foundation. Daphne Guinness is a pioneer for artistic women”
Guinness responded by sharing her happiness at Gaga’s involvement:
“I’m particularly moved by Lady Gaga’s support for the Foundation. I like her very much, and it’s lovely to see the nascent beginnings of something that may help other people.”
Gaga’s purchase broke the previous world record price for a Alexander McQueen design by just a few thousand dollars. In November 2011, a black velvet and bugle beaded evening gown (from McQueen’s autumn/winter 2007 ‘In memory of Elizabeth Howe, Salem 1692’ collection) fetched $122,000.
Gaga’s new outfit can be seen below, as sported by Guinness for Harper’s Bazaar :
