LONDON - Internet shoppers will get a chance to add an unusual item to their wardrobe: the flamboyant swan dress worn by Icelandic singer Bjork to the 2001 Oscars ceremony.
The dress features a ruffled feather skirt and an imitation swan's neck that Bjork draped around her own neck, with the bird's head resting on her breast.
It is among some 150 celebrity fashion items to be auctioned next month on the Internet auction site eBay, with proceeds going to international aid agency Oxfam. Also up for bid: Yoko Ono's sunglasses and a pair of Stella McCartney's thigh-high fake leather boots.
Online bidding will be held Sept. 18-25, coinciding with London Fashion Week.
Rose Marsh, an Oxfam spokeswoman, said she expected the swan dress to draw interest from collectors or "fashion types."
"It's the sort of thing that's kind of priceless," she said. "We don't know yet how much these items could raise but if people get involved in a bidding war over Bjork's dress then it could be quite a substantial amount."
Celebrities were asked to donate belongings with a story behind them. Each successful bidder will get the item and a copy of its accompanying story.
"We wanted people to give things that were personal and had a story behind them because bidders will then know they are getting something particularly special to the person concerned and all in aid of a good cause," Marsh said.
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NEW YORK (AP) - John McEnroe is raising his well-known voice, this time in defense of cats and dogs.
McEnroe, a winner of seven Grand Slam titles, stars in a new public service announcement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
In the lighthearted spot to debut during U.S. Open coverage next week, McEnroe pokes fun at himself by unleashing a trademark tirade sure to get people interested in cat and dog overpopulation.
When an actor seemingly challenges McEnroe's decision to neuter his dog, McEnroe responds: "You cannot be serious!... It's the most important thing you can do for homeless animals!
"Did you know that shelters have to kill more than 4 million animals every year just because there's not enough good homes out there? I can't have that on my conscience! Can you?"
The actor then points to McEnroe's dog, dressed in a pink sweater and hat. "I was actually talking about the outfit.... It's ostentatious. Sorry."
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LONDON (AP) - Green Day was named the best band on the planet and best live act at the Kerrang! music awards.
Green Day - which has had several notable singles, including "When I Come Around" and "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" - took top honors at the annual event, held Thursday at The Brewery in east London.
Marilyn Manson took home the annual Icon Award for "a notoriety that has spread all over the globe."
Iron Maiden was inducted into the Kerrang! Hall of Fame, while Killing Joke received the lifetime achievement award.
First published in 1981, Britain-based Kerrang! magazine has covered the hard-rock end of the music spectrum ever since.
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On the Net:
http://www.kerrang.com/nav?page=kerrang
http://www.greenday.com/greenday.html
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NEW YORK (AP) - Ashlee Simpson, who was busted for a "Saturday Night Live" lip-synch gone awry, will perform on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" this fall, says her manager-father, Joe Simpson.
Earlier in the week, Simpson had confirmed reports that Ashlee was in negotiations for a return to NBC's "SNL," where she was caught using background vocals last October.
The 20-year-old singer's mishap was attributed to acid reflux disease.
"We are going to push 'SNL' back because we are doing 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' for one hour," Simpson told "Access Hollywood" on Wednesday. "('Oprah') is going to be the first interview and the first place where Ashlee sings."
Ashlee's new album, "I Am Me," is set for release Oct. 18.
"We are working on the date" to appear on "Oprah," her manager-father said, "but it's going to be right before the release of the record. It's in the second or first week of October."
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On the Net:
http://www.ashleesimpsonmusic.com/
http://www.accesshollywood.com/index.html
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