A pair of iconic items from Prince’s Purple Rain wardrobe both sold for far more than expected Friday at a Los Angeles auction, with the late singer’s white ruffled shirt and black-and-white, leather-sleeved blazer from the 1984 film selling for $96,000 each. The pre-auction estimate for the items was $6,000 to $8,000 apiece.
As Profiles in History announced in April, the shirt and jacket were acquired by a make-up artist who worked on Purple Rain and later gave the items to her sibling, the original seller.
According to the auction house, the iconic outfit was scheduled to headline their Hollywood Auction before Prince’s April 21st death. “It just happened to be one of those coincidences that unfortunately he passed away,” Profiles in History founder Joe Maddalena told The Guardian. “Probably the signature thing he is known for is Purple Rain. It’s what made his career. It’s probably what he’ll be remembered for always. To have an important piece like this is pretty astonishing and an amazing opportunity.”
The sale of the Purple Rain wardrobe comes a week after Prince’s distinctive “Yellow Cloud” guitar was sold to 
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay for $137,500. Prince’s 1978 demo tape, handwritten lyrics as well as items offered up by the singer’s ex-wife Mayte Garcia were also sold in a separate auction in March.
Profiles in History’s recent auction included Katy Perry’s stage-worn sequined bras, Britney Spears’ costume from “Baby One More Time” and more. However, one major item, Michael Jackson’s Swarovski crystal studded glove from the Dangerous World Tour in 1992, was withdrawn from the auction without explanation, The Guardian reports.
– Rolling Stone
