On November 7th, RR Auction’s Senior Vice President Bobby Livingston hosted The Fashion of Prince Auction at The Chelsea Hotel. The auction preview included Prince’s most iconic stage outfits, including his white ruffled shirt and brooches worn during his triumphant 1985 AMA performance of Purple Rain, his screen-worn outfit and cashmere coat from “Under the Cherry Moon,” and his stage-worn gold chain hat from the 1993 Act II tour, among many others. As Prince’s career evolved, so did his wardrobe, which is exhibited in this extensive collection of stage-worn outfits, accessories, jewelry, fabric swatches, concept sketches, and clothing patterns that were procured directly from the various designers of the bespoke outfits he wore at the time of Purple Rain, Love Sexy, Parade and Sign O’ The Times. In addition to fashion, the preview included original Polaroid photographs, master tapes of his hit albums, and official documentation about his films and music videos.
The historic Bard Room at the Chelsea Hotel saw a steady flow of guests during the four-hour preview including sisters Alexandra & Theodora Richards, DJ Nash, Diego Duenas, Julio Santo Domingo, Wayne Isaak & John Loeffler from the music world as well as fashion’s Dr. Valerie Steele, Timo Weiland, Marc Bagutta, Phillip Bloch, Lisa Marie Fernandez, Ellen Carey, Anne Christensen and Julia von Boehm, among others. Photographers included Sophie Elgort, Torkil Gudnason, Christopher Makos, and Robert Whitman & Ebet Roberts, who photographed Prince many times in Minneapolis. The art world was represented by artists, curators, designers, and collectors such as Eric Shiner, Andres Serrano, Eve Therond, Adam McEwen, Bill Sofield, Gary Hume, Grace Wales Bonner, and Ann Dexter-Jones.
About RR Auction
RR Auction prides itself on selling historic artifacts thoroughly examined by in-house experts and third-party authenticators to ensure the highest standard of authenticity. With a deep global reach and more than 40 years of experience, RR Auction has been recognized internationally as a trusted source frequently quoted in the media. The company has kept expanding into new categories, achieving record prices for clients around the world, including Jeff Bezos’s seat on his Blue Origin’s Rocket Ship for $28 million, astronaut Dave Scott’s Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Chronograph watch, which sold for $1.625 million and President Kennedy’s 1945 diary for $718,750, among others.
About Prince
Born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Prince was an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, and actor widely regarded as one of the greatest artists of his generation. Celebrated for his flamboyant style, androgynous persona, wide vocal range, and skill as a multi-instrumentalist, he often preferred to play all or most of the instruments on his recordings. His music incorporated various styles, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, pop, jazz, blues, and hip-hop. Prince produced his albums, pioneering the Minneapolis sound and selling over 150 million records worldwide. Ranked among the best-selling musicians of all time, Prince won seven Grammy Awards, seven Brit Awards, six American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe.
About The Chelsea Hotel
Designated as a New York City Landmark in 1966, the property’s distinctive cultural history has made it one of NYC’s most iconic establishments. Owners Sean MacPherson, Ira Drukier, and Richard Born reopened the Chelsea in 2022, beginning a new chapter to refresh the interiors while preserving the hotel’s original bohemian spirit. Art plays an integral role at the hotel, with known and unknown works from the hotel’s collection displayed prominently throughout the property.
