Over 30 items worn by the late Queen of Soul were on the block during the event held by Julien's Auctions in New York City as part of the two-day Icons & Idols: Rock-N-Roll extravaganza at the Hard Rock Cafe Time Square this weekend (09-10Nov18).
According to editors at the Detroit Free Press, a pink silk two-piece Bill Blass-designed gown worn by Aretha at the Duets concert AIDS benefit in 1993, sold for the large sum.
A black silk hat adorned with black feathers, black fishnet and white silk flowers, which the singer wore to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame opening ceremony in 1995, was sold for $3,125 (£2,420). While a strapless white silk evening gown and a satin coat worn by the Respect hitmaker at the 1998 Grammys' pre-party sold for $8,750 (£6,778).
The outfits were a last-minute addition to proceedings, but memorabilia dealer Martin Nolan was quick to include them after getting a call from Aretha's inner circle.
"It was completely unexpected," Nolan told The Hollywood Reporter. "We've had the dates for this auction set since last May, so once we received these items in early September, we really needed to scramble to get everything photographed and included in a way that felt like we were doing right by her."
The auction featured more than 800 items from music's biggest icons including Prince, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elvis Presley, The Beatles, and Madonna, with the proceeds going to the Prince’s Trust, which helps disadvantaged young people in the U.K.
The Freeway of Love hitmaker died aged 76 after losing a long battle with pancreatic cancer.