#1316 • "Hollywood Graffiti Gown" Hand Beaded Evening Gown

Part of The Jeran Couture & Fine Jewelry Runway Show (timed auction by GWS Auctions)

Starting at $1.00

Status: Sold

Est. $1,000,000-$2,000,000 "Hollywood Graffiti Gown" Hand Beaded Platinum, Bugle & Seed Bead Black German Velvet Evening Gown W/Over 360 Celebrity Signatures Made by Jeran Designs - This instantly recognizable gown by Jeran Designs is the infamous Hollywood Graffiti Gown which was created over the period of over 24 years. The form-fitting long-sleeved evening gown has a bateau neckline, dolman sleeves and large fishtail train, and is constructed of luxurious German black velvet. The gown is embellished with over 360 signatures from some of entertainment's most influential and powerful woman, which were hand beaded by Randy McLaughlin using platinum bugle beads, crystal seed beads and crystal lochrosen accents. Some of the signatures were acquired over the years as designers Jerry Skeels and Randy McLaughlin were visited by these iconic women in entertainment who were their clients and friends, while others would sign on paper and fax theirs in. Since 1984 when the first signatures were collected, the Hollywood Graffiti Gown has been a symbol of love, support and hope for the thousands affected by HIV and AIDS. Each signature brought more awareness to the cause during the height of the epidemic. The gown was revealed in 2004 at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences "TV Cares Ribbon of Hope Celebration" where Skeels and McLaughlin were honored by the Academy with a Certificate of Recognition for their achievement and dedication. It was displayed around the globe from La Paz, Bolivia, to the Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles, and was meant to fulfill its ultimate purpose in 2013 when it was to go to auction where it was expected to start at $1 million and the proceeds were to be donated to support AIDS related charities. Unfortunately both Jerry Skeels and Randy McLaughlin passed before the auction of the gown could take place. This incredible gown contains over 360 names of the most influential women including Bette Davis, Carol Channing, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, Dakota Fanning, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, Cate Blanchett, Mary Wilson, Gladys Knight, Mother Teresa and countless others. The gown will come with a promotional photo on cardstock made by the designers which lists over 360 celebrity names who they say signed the dress. The gown will also be accompanied by the binder kept by Skeels and McLaughlin which contains the celebrities signatures.Jeran Designs was founded by Emmy Award-nominated designers and life-partners of 30 years, Jerry Skeels and Randy McLaughlin. The pair were the epitome of Hollywood glamour through the 1980s and 90s, and created some of the decade's most iconic fashions. They created the sparkling red gown worn by Joan Collins on her December 1983 Playboy Magazine cover, and the infamous "Hollywood Graffiti Gown" hand-beaded with the signatures of over 345 of Hollywood's most influential women in entertainment and other fields. The Graffiti Gown took over 24 years to come to life and was created to bring awareness to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the United States. The gown was first envisioned by McLaughlin in 1980, and was finished and revealed in 2004 at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences "TV Cares Ribbon of Hope Celebration" where the duo were honored for their humanitarian efforts in creating the gown. In addition to the one-of-a-kind Playboy and Graffiti gowns, Skeels and McLaughlin created the wedding dress with a 10-foot train worn by Nikki Reed Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) on The Young and the Restless, and dressed the likes of Connie Sellecca, Cheryl Ladd, Lana Turner, Kim Novak, Donna Mills, Lindsay Wagner, Tina Turner, Natalie Cole, Little Richard and the legendary Liberace at the height of the 80s and 90s. The pair also designed for the models on Star Search and spent 22 years designing gowns for the models and for prizes of "The Price Is Right," and created pieces for shows such as "The Young and the Restless" and "The Bold and the Beautiful."