Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge auctions off Ralph & Russo suit for bushfire relief

Golden Globe-winning actress delighted to contribute to bushfire relief efforts by auctioning off stunning Ralph & Russo suit.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, wearing her Ralph & Russo suit that will be auctioned to raise money for bushfire relief efforts, gets a closer look at her Golden Globe for best performance by an actress for Fleabag. Picture: AP

The Australian fashion industry, like so many others, has been actively raising funds for those affected in the current bushfire crisis. As Buzz reported earlier this week, after her two wins at the Golden Globes Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge announced that she would be auctioning her suit, in agreement with its designers, London-based Australians Ralph & Russo.

The auction is now live, on eBay sites around the world, with a starting bid of $77,000.

“I’m very excited that this stunning, one-of-a-kind, couture tuxedo created by Australian geniuses Ralph & Russo will continue its journey by contributing to this urgent cause,” said Waller-Bridge in a statement.

“If money raised by its auction can help raise funds to fight the disaster in Australia, the future impact of this suit will be far greater than the luck it brought me and the Fleabag team at the Golden Globes last weekend.

“To add to its allure … I spent most of the night brushing it past and rubbing it up against all the sparkly people I could find. These threads are laced with legends!”

Phoebe Waller-Bridge in her stunning Ralph & Russo suit. Picture: Getty Images

Waller-Bridge has nominated three charities to benefit from the sale: the Red Cross, WIRES and Wildlife Victoria.

The couture house’s creative director Tamara Ralph and chief executive Michael Russo added: “Being both from Australia originally and with much of our family still residents across the region, it is with a heavy heart that we watch and hear the news of the terrible fires currently engulfing such large areas of our homeland. With Australia remaining so close to our hearts, we are delighted to stand next to Phoebe to support relief efforts with this special auction”.

While the suit was custom-made for Waller-Bridge, it is close to a size 12. The Fleabag star has autographed the suit, which was featured in the house’s Autumn-Winter 2019/20 collection, and is made in black Chantilly lace with black and gold ribbon applique. Given the starting price of the auction, which would be in the starting realm of the cost for a couture suit of this style, it is most likely to attract serious collectors; potential bidders must pre-registered at bidforgood.com.au, and can place bids at ebay.com.au.

Other notable donations from the fashion industry this week include US-based companies PVH and Coach, which both donated $100,000, while locally, a large number of brands including Camilla, Alex Perry and Cue have pledged sales from one day to a week.