The dress was the highlight of an 800-item collection of
personal effects, ranging from bras and DVDs to books and make-up that were
sold by Winehouse's parents, Mitch and Janis.
The entire collection brought in $4 million, twice the
original forecast, according to auction house Julien’s, which managed the sale
that ran from Saturday to Sunday.
“Of course, there are fans and museums and collectors all
over the world that will want to own some of these items, care for them, show
them at museums, keep her legacy and her memory alive and at the same time
raise some money for the foundation,” Martin Nolan of Julien’s said ahead of
the auction.
The proceeds will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which
supports vulnerable young adults struggling with addiction.
“All of these dresses represent Amy — fantastic musician,
songwriter, but also a fashion icon,” Nolan said.
Multi-Grammy-winning Winehouse, whose seminal and soulful
2006 album “Back to Black,” is counted as a modern classic, often spoke of her
personal experiences battling alcohol and drug addiction.
Another highlight of the sale was the heart-shaped handbag
custom-made by Moschino that Winehouse used at the 2007 Brit Awards, which sold
for $204,800
Many of the other dresses she wore in performances sold for
between $12,500 and $150,000.
The 400-plus-page catalogue put together by Julien’s was a
walk-through of the singer’s influences and career, but also the distinctive
retro style that made her a fashion icon.
Winehouse wore the green and black bamboo print dress at a
concert in Belgrade in 2011.
A month later, on July 23, she died from acute alcohol
poisoning at age 27.
Her death was the culmination of a lengthy — and often very
public — struggle with alcohol and drugs.