Cher's outfit auction

A selection of Cher's most extravagant outfits are to be sold at auction next month. The lavish garments include a sparkling black net gown Cher wore to perform her 1974 hit 'Dark Lady' and a red velvet dress she donned on the 'Cher Show' in 1975. The dresses - which went on display in London's Sotheby's auction house yesterday (04.09.06) before they go under the hammer at Los Angeles' Beverly Hilton hotel next month - are part of the singer's home clear-out sale. As well as her outfits, Cher is also auctioning off a selection of paintings, expensive jewellery and furniture - including her £16,000 bed. The items are expected to fetch around £600,000 in total. Cher said: "I'm beginning a new chapter in my career and have decided to rewrite my personal environment - my home." Part of the proceeds from the two-day sale will go to the Cher Charitable Foundation. Lee Dunbar from Sotheby's is confident the items will be a hit with buyers because of the 60-year-old star's immense popularity.

He said: "She has influenced every generation with her immense talent and leadership in fashion and style."