Billy Dressed by Sixty Eight Fashion Designers
Billy Opens His Closet
The New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York.
2nd June 1998
A charity event to benefit LIFEbeat – The Music Industry Fights AIDS
In 1998, The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City presented an exhibition and auction that brought together the worlds of art, fashion, and philanthropy in a singularly impactful way. Titled “Billy Opens His Closet,” this exhibition was not merely a showcase of creative prowess but a dedicated effort to raise funds for LIFEbeat – The Music Industry Fights AIDS. The event, held on Tuesday, June 2, 1998, combined an auction with an artistic celebration, marking a notable intersection of cultural and charitable forces.
The event was directed and organized by the creators of Billy – John McKitterick and Juan Andres and the AIDS charity LIFEbeat, together with the support of esteemed sponsors such as Tommy Hilfiger, Moet & Chandon, Christie’s Auction House, The Advocate, and Totem International. The exhibition featured Billy dressed by 75 renowned international fashion designers and artists. These creators, including fashion icons such as Alexander McQueen, Calvin Klein, Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gianni Versace, together with esteemed artists such as Keith Haring and Christopher Makos, each contributed a unique piece that was auctioned in a heartfelt bid to support the fight against AIDS.
The live auction, facilitated by Christie’s Auction House, garnered over $60,000, with Billy dressed by Jean Paul Gaultier, Tommy Hilfiger, and Gianni Versace fetching $4,500, $4,000, and $3,500 respectively. In total, the event raised an astounding $250,000 through both live and silent auctions. LIFEbeat later reported that they anticipated raising close to $425,000 from the efforts surrounding this event, a testament to the powerful synergy between creativity and compassion that defined this memorable occasion.
