Bette Midler to auction off personal costume collection for charity

The auction will feature some of the actress-singer’s most iconic looks, including her famous mermaid costume, stage costumes designed by Bob Mackie, designer dresses from Valentino, costumes from her films, spectacular stage sets, sketches, art, jewellery, and items from her personal collection.

Highlights from the auction, being organised by Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, include her Delores Delago Mermaid costume, her Academy Award Gown designed by Valentino, and her Sailor costume worn during tours from 2003-2005.

The famous Delores Delago costume – a fuchsia fish scale-printed and hand-painted, panne velvet mermaid costume with nude, clam shell top embellished with crystals – was worn by Midler, together with a matching feather head-piece, for her signature character, Delores Delago, during performances of her February 2008-January 2010 show, The Showgirl Must Go On, at the Coliseum at Caesars Palace Las Vegas. It is expected to fetch in the region of $1,500.

Her Valentino-designed Academy Award gown, which she wore to the Oscars in 1992, when she was nominated for Best Actress for her role in the 1991 film For The Boys, is also expected to fetch $1,500 when it goes under the hammer.

Speaking about the gown, Midler said: 'This has to be one of the most beautiful dresses I have ever owned. I was so happy to be going to the Academy Awards for a picture that my production company produced.

'I didn't win, but I felt so wonderful in this dress. Mr Valentino has been a friend for many years, and every time I see him I thank him again.'

The auction will take place on 12 November and all proceeds will benefit the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a non-profit organisation Midler created in 1995, when she and her family moved back to New York City and found many of its parks, community gardens and open spaces had fallen into a state of disrepair.