(Boston) Admirers of Prince, who was almost as famous for his extravagant wardrobe as his chart-topping songs, will have the chance to bid on some of the late musician’s sartorial splendor at an auction auction which will take place online this week.
The collection, which includes more than 200 lots for sale, was assembled by a French collector who initially hoped to open a museum celebrating the musician but later abandoned that plan, according to RR Auction of Boston, which is overseeing the sale.
The collector had contacted people who worked closely with Prince to get their hands on the items, believing that the avant-garde artist, who died in 2016, was not only a musical virtuoso, but also a fashion icon , according to the auction house.
PHOTO RODRIQUE NGOWI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
One of the highlights of the sale is a white ruffled shirt worn by Prince during his performance of the song “Purple Rain” at the 1985 American Music Awards.
The auction house estimated its value at US$15,000.
The auction traces Prince’s evolution in music and fashion from the days of “Purple Rain” until his death, according to Bobby Livingston of RR Auction.
“This auction shows Prince’s influence and legacy through his fashion choices and his connection to the present, when you see all these artists on tour, you know (with) different costumes, different outfits, reinventing himself for every tour,” he said.
Also up for auction is the outfit Prince wore in “Under the Cherry Moon,” a 1986 film starring him that also marked his directorial debut. The auction house estimated the outfit’s value at $45,000.
Other items part of the sale include a pair of blue high-heeled boots from the “Act I” tour valued at $20,000, a custom gold stage outfit with love symbols valued at $10,000 $, a blue Schecter “Cloud” guitar played by Prince, worth $4,000, as well as a hat with chains.
In addition to clothing, this auction includes original Polaroid photographs, hit album soundtracks, and official documentation of the artist’s films and music videos.
Bidding for this sale ends Thursday.
Earlier this year, Prince’s home state of Minnesota honored him by naming a stretch of highway that passes his Paisley Park home after him. The ink with which the governor signed the name change bill was purple, Prince’s signature color.