After initiating an all-black dress code at Jan. 7’s Golden Globes in protest of sexual harassment, actresses now plan to further their support of the Time’s Up defense fund and auction off some of their ceremony gowns through eBay. Money secured through the selling of the dresses will help support the defense fund’s goal of covering legal fees for those who have experienced sexual harassment or abuse in the workplace. Celebrity fashion for a great cause? Sign me up!
HelloGiggles reports that eBay will partner with media company Condé Nast to run the auction of 39 dresses and tuxedos and assure that its proceeds will directly benefit Time’s Up. Designers are known to have donated the Globes outfits of Viola Davis, Sarah Paulson, Elisabeth Moss, Emma Stone, Michelle Williams, Greta Gerwig, Shailene Woodley and Saoirse Ronan. Not only does that list include some of the women who attended the Globes with activists, it also mentions the victorious Ronan, who won for her role in Lady Bird, and Gerwig, the director of the Best Musical or Comedy-winning film.
Fashion industry icon and Condé Nast artistic director Anna Wintour shared that the decision reflected the company’s belief in inspiring social change. “Through this auction powered by eBay, and harnessing the compelling pull of both fashion and activism, we’re hopeful that the black dresses worn at this year’s historic Golden Globe Awards will raise funds for the Time’s Up initiative,” she said, “and serve to support the stories and voices of those who have been victims of sexual misconduct.”
Officially launching the morning of this Friday, Jan. 19, the auction also includes a cheaper opportunity to support the Time’s Up cause and score a fashionable look. Another sweepstakes will offer up the outfits of Mandy Moore, The Crown‘s Claire Foy and Orange Is The New Black‘s Madeline Brewer for at least $25 donations each. The fundraising cause will stay open until Jan. 26, only a few days after the Oscar nominations are announced.
Maintaining such publicized support of sexual abuse victims’ needs is an amazing sign of how invested the women of Hollywood are in Time’s Up. Props to designers and actresses for creating this auction!