Sarah Silverman's Emmy-worn dress up for auction to benefit NHPBS: Here's how to bid

DURHAM — Never been to the Emmy Awards or the coveted Vanity Fair Oscars after-party? Well, you can now at least own a piece of clothing that has – both times adorned by a long-time New Hampshire resident.

Actress, comedian and writer Sarah Silverman is donating a dress from Miu Miu, a sister label of Prada, to New Hampshire PBS for its annual Spring Auction that runs until June 7. From red carpets to after-parties, Silverman said the nearly $3,000 designer dress has been to it all, having owned the piece for nearly six years.

“I’m very happy to support New Hampshire PBS with this lil’ sartorial sacrifice (I’m pretty sure this makes me a hero?),” she said. “Sure, this dress has seen better days, but hey, she’s got character! Bid high and together we can help keep NHPBS bringing the quality content I grew up on!”

It all started in a March 14 Instagram post, where Silverman shared a collage of her wearing the two-in-one blouse and pinafore Miu Miu minidress to four different events over the years.

The piece includes an attached semi-sheer organza blouse with jeweled buttons, one of the fashion house’s signature designs. Although the dress wasn’t showcased on the runway, it was part of Miu Miu’s Fall/ Winter 2019 Ready-to-Wear collection.

“This @miumiu dress has served me well,” wrote Silverman. “We had a great run, you and I. I tore your sleeves at the armpit and mended them many times. Thank you, old friend.”

Silverman, who is also known for voicing the adorable Vanellope von Schweetz in the "Wreck-It Ralph" movie series, said she bought the Miu Miu dress specifically for the 2018 Emmy Awards, where she was nominated for Outstanding Sketch Series in her TV show, "I Love You, America."

“I love the clean black and white and the nod to 60s and 70s style,” she said. “It’s a great dress… The dress has always come through for me.”

Since then, the dress has made its appearance at almost every red carpet event Silverman has been to, including this year’s Vanity Fair after-party in March, held right after the Academy Awards.

Jokingly, in the same March 14 Instagram post, Silverman also said that it was “time to auction you (the dress) off for charity.”

“Hopefully someone will want a slightly torn (but mendable!) dress that reeks of Silverman,” she added.

As a playful exchange, NHPBS commented on the post, asking Silverman if they were the “charity” that would get the dress, to which she confirmed shortly after.

“We are incredibly grateful to Sarah Silverman for her generosity and support of NHPBS,” said Diane LaRochelle, auction manager.

The NHPBS Spring Auction is an annual event that helps support the TV station in providing high-quality educational and entertainment programming to viewers across the state. However, LaRochelle said this year’s auction will include more than just Silverman’s designer dress.

“This year, bidders can bid on exciting items like an adult e-bike, over 20 New Hampshire-made totes bursting with goodies from all over the Granite State and a highly coveted hockey stick signed by Boston hockey legends and an exquisite diamond ring — just to name a few,” she said. “We hope that this unique item will bring attention to the important work we do here at NHPBS.”

So, how do you bid for Silverman’s Miu Miu dress or other items?

Auction for all items will be available online through June 7. Visit the NHPBS auction website for more information and to register to bid.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to not only raise vital funds for our local programming and educational services but to also share a bit of New Hampshire charm with the winning bidder,” said LaRochelle.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Sarah Silverman's Emmy-worn dress up for auction to benefit NHPBS