Dress Like A Celebrity For A Good Cause

Are celebrity charity auctions poised to take the place of celebrity clothing lines as the ubiquitous Hollywood pet project?

Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Richie and Ellen DeGeneres are getting a head start on their spring cleaning and emptying out their closets to benefit charity (and the poorly dressed). Yay, us!

If one man's trash is another's treasure, we've found the mother load. Sales of Gwynnie's A-list goodies are up for grabs at GOOP's eBay site. That means if you're a size 4 or 6 in clothes or an 8.5 or 9 in shoes, you can score Gwynnie's old Balenciaga cocktail dresses, studded Burberry heels, quilted Chanel bags, and Proenza Schouler platforms for very little cash. All proceeds benefit the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that targets poverty in New York City.

Following in GP's fashionably philanthropic footsteps, Ellen has teamed with the online shopping site to benefit the Humane Society with a series of auctions.

Today, we're starting something brand new. It's called, Whatcha Sellin' Ellen?' Ellen announced on her show, explaining, I'll be auctioning off my clothes and some of my guests' clothes on eBay to raise money for the Humane Society of the United States. Every week there will be 25 items up for auction. Some things I only wore once. Some twice. And some I slept in. But they're cleanish, she jokes.

From now until May 8, more than 75 items will be up for grabs, including the navy blazer Ellen wore when the prez was on the show and the white suit she donned to pick up her Emmy Award. Celebrity guests will be allowed to donate items when they're visiting the studio, too.

Click here to get bidding on Ellen's goods, which start at just $1 each and be sure to check back Tuesdays when she adds new items. 100% of winning bids will be donated to the Humane Society to help animals in need.

And former party girl turned do-gooder Nicole Richie is making room for baby number two and auctioning off Harlow's baby gear on handmedowns.com to benefit the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation, her charity with baby daddy Benji Madden. Hmm, does this mean the couple will be shopping for baby blue this time around?

So think about it, you get: designer swank. For a deep discount. Once worn by Hollywood bold face names. And a deep sense of humanitarian satisfaction for contributing to a great cause. It's not spending rent money on frivolity but giving to others. Buyer's remorse be damned!

By Paige Muller

Paige Muller, Gossip & Hollywood Hijinx
		About the author:
		Paige Muller is a gossip gal with an appreciation – some would say obsession – for Hollywood hijinx, celebrity style and the latest fashion trends.  From who hooked up, who's knocked up and "WTF are they wearing?", Paige offers all the dish, with a side of snark. When not pondering Jennifer Aniston's perplexing post-breakup PR strategy, Paige is a published writer and communications professional who has worked with brands like Dove, L'Oreal, More magazine, Gap and WE: Woman's Entertainment.
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