Lady Gaga splurges over £85,000 on Alexander McQueen piece

Heiress Daphne Guinness’ fashion collection went under the hammer at Christies on Tuesday night, raising £476,800 for the Isabella Blow Foundation. The foundation set up in memory of Blow, who committed suicide in 2007, aims to support aspiring art and fashion students and to facilitate further research into depression and mental health. 

The items on sale were clothes belonging to the late Blow, which were purchased by Guinness in 2010. Items include key pieces from the late designer Alexander McQueen and other luxury labels such as Christian Lacroix, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. 

Lady Gaga made a record purchase, paying over £85,000 for an ivory silk tulle empire line gown by Alexander McQueen – a new record for the designer, as the previous highest recorded bid at auction was £78,000 for a black velvet and bugle beaded evening gown, from the Autumn/Winter 2007 collection. The collector’s item purchased by Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta) is entitled The Girl Who Lived in the Tree  and went for four times the original estimated bid.

Fashionista, muse and pop star Gaga, has spoken of her admiration for Guinness and Blow in the past, saying: “Daphne, like Isabella, is a huge source of inspiration for me. I cherish them both. It is as if we are all cut from the same cloth.”

Guinness said: “This cause is close to my heart. I am genuinely touched by the response it has generated, and truly excited for the future of the Isabella Blow Foundation. I’m overwhelmed by how many bidders took part this evening and 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 also tweeted about the new addition to her wardrobe, saying: “I am a passionate fashion collector & feel honored to support The Isabella Blow Foundation. Daphne Guinness is a pioneer for artistic women.”

She continued: “The auction, in conjunction with Isabella’s foundation, felt like fashion’s Super Bowl, and my home team was winning for the first time. May my archive be ever expanding. I will not catalog these pieces by their designers. Your wing @therealDaphne is titled *Vintage Guinness*.”

Siobhan Copland