Lady Gaga buys Michael Jackson's costumes at auction
LOS ANGELES - Pop star Lady Gaga purchased55 items belonging to late singer Michael Jackson in a weekendauction that raised more than $5 million, a portion of which
will be donated to charity, Julien's Auctions said.
The auction, held in Beverly Hills, showcased 465 lots ofitems spanning Jackson's career through the years, includingcostumes and props used on tour and in music videos.
Highlights from the sale included the late singer's "BAD"tour jacket raising $240,000, a white glove selling for $192,000and one of the singer's Pepsi and Awards jacket garnering more
Following Sunday's auction, Gaga told her 31 million Twitterfollowers that "the 55 pieces I collected today will be archived& expertly cared for in the spirit & love of Michael Jackson,
his bravery, & fans worldwide."
The collection of outfits, designed by Los Angeles-basedcollaborators Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush and gifted backto them by the late singer, were taken on a world tour earlierthis year, traveling across South America, Europe and Asia.
In September, British hat designer Philip Treacy designedhis first London fashion week show in a decade around Jackson'sauction costumes, which were worn by the models down the runwayand accessorized with hats inspired by the late singer's life.
Gaga not only attended Treacy's show but was on hand tointroduce the milliner's collection.
The auction exceeded pre-sale estimates of $1 million to $2million, and a portion of the final amount raised will benefitthe Guide Dogs of America and Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las
Vegas. Reuters