21 Artists Reimagine The Black Leather Jacket To Benefit LGBT Center

To celebrate its return to Chelsea with a new flagship store, Barneys New York asked 21 artists and designers to collaborate with Christie's on a new auction, "The Black Leather Jacket." Launched on March 1st, the auction will benefit two New York institutions: The LGBT Center, and the art space White Columns, which showcases up-and-coming talent.

In 1986, Barneys New York had a "Denim Jacket" event, with artists such as Keith Haring, Jean Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Yves Saint Laurent contributing with their own take on the denim jacket. The proceeds went to an AIDS charity, with an event that brought together Madonna, Debbie Harry, Iman and more. Now, Barneys New York is taking inspiration from this iconic moment with another staple, the black leather jacket. Check out the creations from the likes of Helmut Lang (pictured), Sterling Ruby, Ugo Rondinone, and Kim Gordon, and bid online at Christies.com. Each jacket starts at $1,000, and all proceeds with benefit the New York LGBT Center and the White Columns art space.