PRESS UPDATE : THE MIRROR .. OCTOBER 10TH 2016

Joan Collins fans flock to charity shop to grab glamorous star's designer clothes!

• By Nicola Bartlett

  Legendary actress is patron of Shining Star Chase children's hospice and gave 150 items to the charity's Guildford shop in Surrey..

  Charity shops might not be known for their glamour but all that changes when a certain Dame Joan Collins gives a donation.
  The Dynasty actress, who is patron of the Shining Star Chase children's hospice, gave 150 items including designer clothes, shoes and jewellery to the charity's Guildford shop in Surrey.
  The rack of exciting fashion finds has attracted a host of visitors including one fan who travelled all the way from Dorset and spent £700 while a customer from Germany spent £400 over the phone.
  The charity hopes in total they will raise £10,000 to help terminally ill children and their families.
   
  

   Volunteer Valerie Talbot, from Guildford said: "There's lots of things you might wear on the beach in St Tropez but maybe not on the high street in Guildford. Actually a lot of those clothes are very Joan Collins."

  The shop is running a silent auction for some of the most iconic items which include a Chanel handbag, a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes, a Tiffany necklace and an Alexander McQueen bracelet which closes tomorrow.
  Also on offer is a signed copy of her book, a signed pair of LK Bennett shoes and a pair of earrings worn by Joan when she played Alexis Colby in Dynasty.
   
  But there are also bargains to be had among the array of glamorous kaftan-style tops, wide-brimmed sun hats and chunky necklaces with prices starting at just £5.
  Assistant Manager of the shop Sue Hamblett said: "There were about 150 items in total, it was two huge suitcases full.
  "It's been great some people have come all the way from the coast, a few people have come because their mums love Joan Collins and they want to buy them something.
  "I've been tempted by some of the jewellery, I put a bid in for the Chanel bag but I'm pretty sure I haven't got it."
  

  

  Mirror reporter Nicola Bartlett exhibits some of Joan's items

  
  Maggie Walsh, who was browsing the rail of glamorous clothes had already bought one of the items.
  She said: "I own Joan Collins's coat. I bought it about ten days ago - it's a winter coat, it's black wool. I came in looking for a coat and there it was."
  Zosia Zacharia, from Epsom, shopping with her one year old daughter Annabelle was tempted into the shops by a pair of Sam Edelman leopard print shoes with a gold block heel.
   She said: "I don't even live nearby, I live in Epsom but I always find goodies in here.
  "I think having those leopard print shoes in the window was a great idea."
  Shooting Star Chase is a children’s hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
  They support families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
   
  
  Joan Collins's donation coincided with her visit to G Live in Guildford where she performed her new show Joan Collins Unscripted and made time to visit the charity's Christopher's hospice who were celebrating their 15 years where she had tea and cake with some of the children and their families.
   Joan was born in Paddington and brought up in Maida Vale but was moved around because of the Blitz.
  Joan describes her house in London's Belgravia as her proper home but she also has places in LA and New York and a villa in the South of France.
  The glamorous star may need those earrings back as it has been announced US TV network CW is planning a Dynasty revival - although it is not yet clear whether or not the British actress will be involved, although she has spoken many times of her desire for a new generation to experience the show .