Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton and others raise over S$200,000 in charity auction
The La Mode S'Engage charity auction of rare and limited edition collectibles saw proceeds going to French healthcare workers.
Influential names in the French fashion industry have banded together for a charity auction, including luxury house Chanel. (Photo: Chanel)
Over the weekend, the biggest names in French fashion came together to help provide relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The brands organised a one-off auction, dubbed La Mode S’Engage, to raise money for non-profit organisation #ProtegeTonSoignant, which sources and distributes essential supplies and personal protective equipment to healthcare workers in France.
The organisation was spearheaded by Nicolas Santi-Weil, CEO of French contemporary brand Ami, and Sarah Adelman, former founder of cult fashion boutique Colette. The duo secured the participation of more than 120 fashion houses, including Balenciaga, Chanel, Comme des Garcons, Dior and Louis Vuitton.
Brands were asked to either customise an object from their existing archives, or create an entirely new, unique product. Products had to feature the foundation’s electric blue colourway.
The La Mode S’Engage online auction went live from May 1 to May 4, with prices for all items starting at €100 (S$153). At the end of the auction, a total of €131,464 (S$201,397) was raised.
Products that were up for bidding included a Dior Homme Saddle Bag hand-signed by designer Kim Jones and a Marc Jacobs runway dress worn by model Gigi Hadid.
Chanel donated a limited-edition customised flap bag, while Louis Vuitton auctioned off a blue Locky BB bag.
“A thousand thanks to all bidders and fashion designers who permitted to raise in three days €131,464 for French healthcare workers,” the organisation said on Instagram at the close of the auction. “Thank you all again for your generosity. The proceeds of this sale will be used in a few days to buy medical supplies for French hospitals.”
