It's not uncommon for celebrities to auction off their most iconic red carpet 'fits and other valuables, but the mighty Pharrell is taking things to the next level by launching his very own auction house, JOOPITER, as a platform for his archive of collectibles.
"The idea behind JOOPITER is to embrace the energy that is released when objects change hands, and to respect the value that’s been created around these objects," the rapper said in a press release.
Augmented with original editorial content exploring the provenance and history of each auctioned item, the digital-first venture — described as a "destination for community and commerce" — will serve as a sort of archive of Pharrell's immeasurable influence on music and fashion.
On October 20, JOOPITER will open bidding on its inaugural auction, "Son of a Pharaoh," a collection of jewelry, clothing, and other cultural artifacts. The majority of the 52-lot sale is comprised of custom-made items, from Pharrell's Jacob & Co. N.E.R.D. belt buckle (est. $17,500 - $27,500) to his 18 karat gold Blackberry 8700 (est. $15,000 to $25,000).
Other notable offerings: the artist's Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, high school letterman jacket, hand-beaded Swarovski crystal adidas, and custom "Thanos Grill."
Want to get up close and personal with the goods? "Son of a Pharaoh" will open for public viewing (by appointment only) in New York on October 14 and 15. Appointments can be scheduled at JOOPITER's website.
Also worth mentioning is JOOPITER's charitable component. A portion of proceeds will go to Pharrell's Black Ambition, a non-profit that provides cash prizes and mentorship to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs.
And now for the question on everyone's mind: does Pharrell have any plans to sell his iconic Vivienne Westwood hat?
