Here's a chance for shopaholics to feel good about themselves: 7th on Sale is back with more than $9 million worth of goods up for grabs for charity.
Proceeds from the sale of designer and celebrity-owned merchandise, known as the largest online sample sale, go to AIDS/HIV charities. There's also an in-person shopping event Friday through Sunday in Manhattan. (Advance tickets are required.)
Celebrities including Fergie, Oprah Winfrey and Demi Moore have donated their own designer clothing to the event by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The black beaded dress Sarah Jessica Parker wore to Ralph Lauren's 40th anniversary fashion show is being offered exclusively to online shoppers at an opening bid of $1,000, one-tenth of the retail price.
In total, more than 30,000 individual items are for sale, with 5,000 exclusive to eBay. The online auction began Thursday and runs through Dec. 6.
Participating designers include Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Caroline Herrera and Phillip Lim. In addition to the money raised directly by consumers, the M.A.C. AIDS Fund will match every dollar raised online up to $500,000.
7th on Sale was started in 1990 as a partnership between the CFDA and Vogue magazine. Over the years, four sales have raised a total of almost $12 million to fight against HIV and AIDS.
