Prince’s white ruffled ‘Purple Rain’ shirt and iconic blue high-heeled boots that show his ‘influence and legacy’ in fashion are being auctioned
Fans of Prince, who was known almost as much for his extravagant wardrobe as his chart-topping hits, will have the chance to bid on some of the late musician’s sartorial splendor in an online auction 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 collect 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 at auction.
One of the highlights of the auction 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 $15,000.
The auction traces Prince’s evolution in music and fashion from his “Purple Rain” days until his death, according to Bobby Livingston of RR Auction.
“What this auction really does is it shows Prince’s influence and legacy with his fashion choices and how it relates today, when you see all these artists on tour, you know, different costumes, different outfits, reinventing themselves on every tour,” he said.
Also up for auction is the outfit Prince wore in “Under the Cherry Moon,” a 1986 film starring Prince that also marked his directorial debut. The auction house estimated the outfit’s value at $45,000.
Other items up for auction 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 and a blue Schecter “Cloud” guitar played by Prince, valued at $4,000; and a chain hat.
In addition to fashion, this auction includes original Polaroid photographs, hit album soundtracks, and official documentation of his films and music videos.
Bidding for the auction ends Thursday.
Earlier this year, Prince’s home state of Minnesota honored him by naming a stretch of highway after him that passes his Paisley Park home. The governor’s ink signed the name change bill it had purple – Prince’s signature color.
