Elton John Sells Clothes for Charity

ByABC News
November 29, 2000, 7:05 PM

Nov. 29 -- A luminous green panther-style suit, leopard printjackets, pop star regalia in electric blue Elton John is clearingout his closets to raise money to fight AIDS.

John, who rocks in a fashion class all his own, shared hisunique threads and style at an elaborate rummage sale today.

Fans lined up all day outside the central London shop where thestar was selling off 15,000 items of clothing and accessories.

Sir Elton snipped a pink ribbon to open the sale and the fanspoured in to prowl among racks packed with colorful designer wearand tables piled with sweaters, shirts and shoes.

Organizers said Elton Johns AIDS Foundation raised more than$140,000 in the first four hours. The sale is to continue forseveral days, until everything is sold.

The stars last clothes sale, in 1997, raised $500,000 in fivedays.

Shoes, Hats and Panther SuitIn addition to high-priced designer wear, such as GianniVersaces luminous panther suit now $2,150- and a $35,750 1986blue and purple stage costume, many more affordable items were onsale. Hundreds of pairs of shoes were priced about $45 each, shirtsstarted at $20 and baseball caps at $7.

The fans were thrilled to have such personal mementoes.

William Carbury, a 43-year-old college receptionist, said he hadgone a bit mad at the sale. I only had a budget of $215 but Iended up spending $500 on two pairs of shoes, some shirts and abelt.

I cant wait to try it all on, he said.

Sharon Kalinoski, from Chicago, 36-year-old head of JohnsAmerican fan club, said shes spent more than $1,430 and that shedbe back again Thursday for more.

I bought over 60 items, some of which I will keep and some ofwhich I will give to fans back in the U.S., she said.

Then there were the folks who just admired Eltons style.

Im not really a fan of Elton John but I do like hisclothes, said London window cleaner Desmond Cooley, who spent$300 on sweaters and shoes.