Cher, mentioning the name alone is enough to leave her ageless fan base breathless with long-winded vows of devotion. At the age of 64, the legendary star is still performing sold out shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Her career spans five decades and has seen more personal reinventions than we’re able to count: from her flower child beginnings opposite Sonny Bono, through her scandalously unclad “If I Could Turn Back Time” video, to the elaborate Bob Mackie-designed costumes she wears for her show today. She’s never been one to curb her outspoken nature for the sake of convention—which is what’s kept us (and the rest of the world) on the edge of our seats anxiously awaiting her next big move—or outfit.

The relentless humanitarian recently teamed up with eBay’s Giving Works program to auction off VIP tickets to see her last show of the summer on July 4th, where you’ll go backstage to meet her, sip champagne and leave with a few choice souvenirs. All proceeds from the sale are going to The Heroes Project, a non-profit organization that works to support war veterans, soldiers and their families. Prequalify to place your bid here from June 21-28 (it’s like you’re already in Vegas!).

To help get you revved-up for a guaranteed good time in Vegas—it is Cher, afterall—we thought we’d take a look back at some of the star’s more memorable fashion moments. We recommend hitting play on her Greatest Hits album while perusing.

The Cher Timeline:

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From Prescriptives to Max Factor, several venerable beauty brands have shuttered in the U.S. over the past couple of years. And for healthier companies—such as Nars, Revlon and Estee Lauder—it’s common practice to discontinue items each year. While these businesses or products may have fallen short when it comes to sales, that doesn’t mean there’s not a loyal pocket of fans out there.

Consider Prescriptives, best known for its customized lipstick and foundation formulas. During the first three months of 2010, over 6,100 Prescriptives items were sold on eBay, despite—or maybe because of?—the fact that it was pulled out of stores at the end of January. An in-demand item? Flirt, one of the makeup firm’s most popular fragrances. Right now, a 3.4 oz bottle is up for a Buy it Now price of $134.99. Other popular products include the Anywear Makeup Stick, as well as any lipstick or lip pencil in Ginger.

For some, finding limited-edition items is the greatest challenge. For instance, MAC typically produces its Paint Pots in very small quantities, which means each season’s colors tend to sell out. The market for Paint Pots is incredible—over 675 were sold on eBay in the first three months of 2010. But they’re not cheap. For instance, the “Pharaoh” Paint Pot, part of the Alexander McQueen for MAC collection, is currently available for a Buy it Now price of $49.99.

Regardless of what type of cream, pencil or perfume you’re after, you might be wary of buying them via a secondary seller, but fear not: the makeup business on eBay has been so successful that the marketplace posted $16 million in makeup sales for the first three months of the year. (It also sold $25 million worth of skin care and $17 million in fragrances.) To ensure you’re getting a never-used item, look for products labeled New, or NIB for “new in box.” Top sellers will indicate whether or not the product is still in its original packaging, and many offer a money-back guarantee if you’re unhappy with the color or scent.

For those anxious to scoop up some of the country’s most coveted beauty products, we’ve put a list together to give you a head start.

Clockwise from top left: Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara in Black Brown (buy it now price, $29.99) While Max Factor is still available abroad, it’s been pulled off the shelves here in the US. Good news: The brand’s ever-popular 2000 Calorie Mascara is still available–new and unused–via eBay. NEW MAC Rollickin’ Paint Pot (buy it now price, $39.99) This aqua eyeshadow paint pot is brand-new, unopened, and unused. What’s more, it’s a rare and discontinued color–ideal for avid collectors. CALYX by Prescriptives Four Piece Gift Set (buy it now price, $73.95) While Prescriptives’ Flirt was popular, CALYX is more of a cult item. Around since 1986, the scent is fruity and citrusy. This set includes a 1.7 oz. fragrance spray, 3.3 oz. body lotion, .33 mini spray, and carrying case. NEW Chanel Nouvelle Vague Resort Nail Polish (buy it now price, $38.99) Chanel has a knack for creating nail polish colors that sell out within days, and it’s new Resort collection is no difference. A spin on last fall’s popular Jade color, Nouvelle Vague is a pastel bluish-green. Chris Benz “Chris and Tell” Lipstick for Lancome (buy it now price, $65) Like Proenza Schouler and Behnaz Sarafpour before him, this spring designer Chris Benz created a lipstick for Lancome’s Pout-a-Porter series. The peachy lipstick hit stores in February 2010, but quickly sold out. Originally $29, it’s now selling for more than double the price.

Lauren Sherman is a fashion and culture writer based in Brooklyn. She currently works as an editor at Fashionista.com.

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“Ugly Betty” may be no more, but there’s still a chance to hold on to this chapter in television history. Top-rated eBay seller VipFanClubs, which has been bringing Hollywood to the masses since 2003, has exclusive rights to a months-long “Ugly Betty Last Chance” auction happening now on eBay with auction partner ABC Studios. Each week, the seller posts 20 to 30 wardrobe pieces and props from design team Patricia Field and Mark Agnes (they of the “Sex and the City” franchise). In total, several hundred costumes from main characters will be auctioned off, including designer goods ranging from Christian Louboutin shoes to a Jil Sander dress. There are items worn by Wilhelmina (played by Vanessa Williams), Betty (America Ferrera), Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius), Amanda (Becki Newton) and others. The best part: you can bid on whole outfits, not just pieces, so in a matter of clicks, you can score Betty’s Jax dress, belt and yellow purse, or Wilhelmina’s Cavalli blouse, belt and Stewart Weitzman shoes.

On Tuesday, a pair of Betty’s signature red Hero glasses started out at $24.99, garnered 55 bids and ultimately went for $510. Not a bad price for an iconic small screen memento you can actually wear.

Next up from VipFanClubs: an auction of costumes and props from the Fox show “24.” We’re already counting down.

From left to right: Wilhelmina’s Jil Sander Dress (starting bid, $24.99); Betty’s Lela Rose Dress (starting bid, $24.99)

From left to right: Hilda’s Christian Louboutin Shoes (starting bid, $24.99) Claire’s Yves Saint Lauren Shoes (starting bid, $24.99)

Ivanka Adam is eBay’s Collectibles Manager. 

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Everyone knows that eBay is the world’s number one destination for buying and selling practically anything. But not everyone realizes that the marketplace is also an ideal platform for raising money for charity. Well, Oprah knows this (she sold pieces from her personal wardrobe and raised more than $150K to benefit her Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa), as does Cher and Ellen DeGeneres and Leo DiCaprio. The list of celebrities goes on. Collectively, our favorite stars have raised millions for a plethora of worthy causes by sponsoring high-profile auctions and events through eBay Giving Works, a six-year-old program that offers eBay community members a convenient way to support their favorite nonprofits.

Celebrities are great, but the success of the eBay Giving Works program hinges on eBay’s uber generous sellers and buyers—all 90 million of them globally—who have raised about $191M total funds to date for charity. This week marks the official launch of Who’s Your Favorite?, a new initiative allowing eBay shoppers to indicate one or more favorite nonprofits that will be served up to them every time they checkout on eBay.com and want to donate a little something to their favorite causes.

Robert Duvall, Warren Buffett and Carlos Santana are just three of the notable figures auctioning off their time and goods on eBay in coming weeks, to benefit their favorite charities.

As far as celebrity auctions are concerned, June is a busy month on eBay. Robert Duvall, Warren Buffett, Carlos Santana, Pawn Stars and ESPN are hosting major auctions to raise money for their favorite causes. Check eBay Givings Works’ site often for details, posted shortly before each auction opens. And stay tuned for upcoming stories on The Inside Source profiling our celebrity friends and the social and environmental programs they care about and support.

** Images provided by eBay. **

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Currently up for auction are wardrobe pieces and props from all seasons of ABC’s Ugly Betty.  The collection consists of several hundred main character costumes including full wardrobes from Vanessa Williams (Wilhelmina), America Ferrara (Betty), Eric Mabius (Daniel Meade), Becki Newton (Amanda), Ana Ortiz (Hilda), Judith Light (Claire Meade) and Michael Urie (Marc St. James).  The costumes represent high end designer items from costume designer Mark Agnes (Sex In The City and Sex In The City 2).  Also offered is a variety of high profile props and accessories from the show.

Top-rated seller VipFanClubs, which has exclusive rights to these items from the network, will be posting 20 to 30 new items a week for several weeks. 

One of the most fun things about the auction is that you’re bidding on outfits, not just pieces.  So, in a matter of a few mouse clicks, you can score Betty’s Jax dress, belt and yellow purse, or Wilhelmina’s Cavalli blouse, belt and Stewart Weitzman shoes!

From left to right: Ugly Betty America Ferrera Jax Dress & Purse (current bid, $31); Ugly Betty Wilhelmina Vanessa Williams Cavalli Blouse (current bid, $45)

Other items to watch for include [Mark – your input w/ pics is requested].

Follow @eBayCollectors on Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest in the Entertainment Memorabilia category.

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Just a little over a month after the tragic January 12 earthquake hit Haiti, athletes from around the world gathered in Vancouver to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. Unable to watch the devastation unfolding from the sidelines, NHL veteran Georges Laraque, the National Hockey League Player’s Association (NHLPA) Goals & Dreams fund and World Vision Canada joined together to create Hockey for Haiti, a program that aims to strengthen Haiti’s ability to provide critical medical care to earthquake survivors. So far, Hockey for Haiti is helping to build and operate a health clinic, restore the country’s Grace Children’s Hospital and contribute to short term emergency relief efforts and long term development.

In its latest fund-raising effort, the charity is auctioning off—via eBay—140 Olympic jerseys from 12 countries worn by NHL players during the games. The jerseys are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from the NHLPA, and players who’ve donated their wares include the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sidney Crosby (who scored the winning goal in the gold medal game), Alex Ovechkin (from the Washington Capitals, arguably the best player in the world) and Jarome Iginia (star of the Calgary Flames). The jerseys of Ryan Miller (US Olympic goalie and Buffalo Sabres player), twins Henrik & Daniel Sedin (of the Vancouver Canuks), and the Chicago Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane are also on the roster.

Each Tuesday, starting May 11, jerseys will be auctioned off by country. On May 11, 23 jerseys from Team Canada’s game against Germany will hit the block. Team USA is up on May 18, Team Finland May 25, Teams Slovakia and Sweden June 1, Teams Russia and Czech Republic June 8, and Teams Switzerland, Belarus, Norway, Germany and Latvia June 15.
 
If you think your favorite player’s jersey might be up for sale, great news: Every auction starts at just $0.99, with no reserve. That means anyone has a chance of winning a piece of hockey history. Talk about fair game.

Lauren Sherman is a fashion and culture writer based in Brooklyn. She currently works as an editor at Fashionista.com.

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When we heard eBay was hosting something called a Comic Book Superhero Event, simply had to know more. Lucky for us, Ivanka Adam, eBay’s very own Collectibles Manager, donned her cape and flew in to save the day. As a guest writer for The Inside Source, Adam penned the following article on the virtual event, an auction of highly coveted comic books and more celebrating next Friday’s release of Iron Man 2, the star-studded flick featuring Robert Downey Jr. as billionaire Tony Stark and his superhero alter ego, Iron Man.—The Editors

The highly anticipated sequel to Iron Man premiers on Friday, May 7. To get into the spirit, eBay is holding a themed auction of comic books, original comic art, and other comic-related collectibles.  The Comic Book Super Hero Event runs through Sunday, May 9 and features mostly rare, hard-to-find items, many of which have never before been listed on eBay.  Albert Moy, a well-known dealer in the comic art industry and a long time eBay seller commented on his participation: “I’m thrilled to be included in eBay’s comics auction event.  eBay is providing a great opportunity for their loyal comics fans to win rare and highly sought after items. We should see some good bidding frenzy when the auctions come to a close on May 9th.”

clockwise from top left: Don Heck Silver Age Iron Man Original “Tales of Suspense” Splash Page Art, Silver Age Iron Man # 1 (1968) CGC 9.2, John Cassaday Captain America Reborn #4 Original Cover Art, Marvel Silver Age Lot of over 2,200 books including Amazing Fantasy #15, Ed Benes Birds of Prey #1 Original Cover Art, James Jean Fables #69 Framed Painting, John Romita Jr. Marvel Age Iron Man Original Cover Art, Kick-Ass Run #1-8 Complete First Print Comic Book Set

Each item in the event is being will be offered as an auction with no reserve…yes, even the Don Heck original art, which is valued at $11,000. (For comics novices, Don Heck co-created the Iron Man character and penciled the Marvel series, The Avengers, during the 1960’s Silver Age of comic books.) Items with an estimated value less than $1,000 will start at $.99 and those with an estimated value greater than $1,000 will start at $99.99.  So don your skin-tight suit, grab your weapon of choice and get ready to bid!

The most buzz-worthy items in the auction include:

• Don Heck Silver Age Iron Man Original “Tales of Suspense” Splash Page Art 
• Marvel Silver Age Lot of over 2,200 books including Amazing Fantasy #15 
• James Jean Fables #69 Framed Painting 
• Ed Benes Birds of Prey #1 Original Cover Art 
• John Cassaday Captain America Reborn #4 Original Cover Art  
• John Romita Jr. Marvel Age Iron Man Original Cover Art
  
• Silver Age Iron Man # 1 (1968) CGC 9.2
  
• Kick-Ass Run #1-8 Complete First Print Comic Book Set  

Did you know?

• March is the best performing month for Comics each year on eBay.
• Modern Age (1992-now) and Silver Age (1956-69) comics are the highest grossing sub-categories within the Comics Category.
• A comic-related item is sold every 10 seconds on eBay.
• The top ten most expensive comics sold on eBay since 2004 are:

The ten most expensive comics sold on eBay since 2004 are:

• Batman #11 Golden Age Comic Book from 1942 (sold for $30,000 in June 2008) 
• Alex Raymond Original Art – Flash Gordon Comic Strip (sold for $28,100 in February 2008)
• Marvel Comics #1 Golden Age Comic Book from 1939 (sold for $28,000 in September 2008)
  
• Neal Adams Original Art – Batman #232 from 1970 (sold for $27,300 in April 2007) 
• Amazing Fantasy #15 Silver Age Comic Book from 1962 in near mint condition (sold for $27,123 October 2004)
• Action Comics #2 Golden Age Comic Book from 1938 with white pages (sold for $27,100 July 2006) 
• Unrestored Superman #1 Golden Age Comic Book from 1939 (sold for $27,100 in March 2009) 
• Superman #1 Golden Age Comic Book from 1939 (sold for $26,100 in June 2006) 
• Jim Starlin Original Art – Captain Marvel #28 from 1973  (sold for $25,878 in May 2009) 
• Tales of Suspense #39 Silver Age Comic Book from 1963 (sold for $25,200 in August 2008)

 Ivanka Adam is eBay’s Collectibles Manager. Follow @eBayCollectors on Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest in the Comics category.

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It turns out celebrity fashion stylist Annabel Tollman—who counts starlets Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Simpson, and Michelle Trachtenberg among her many Hollywood clients—is also a major eBay addict: “I’m constantly shopping the site when I’m supposed to be concentrating on something else. My old assistant was forever getting mad at me, telling me to stop procrastinating when I was on eBay!” she says.

Recently, she found a way to justify her addiction. Tollman is teaming up with the online marketplace to launch Fashion Voice, a new hub featuring shopping tips from a variety of top stylists and fashion experts, including Britt Bardo, Estee Stanley, Rebecca Weinberg, Kate Young and eBay’s own Karen Bard and Constance White. Tollman is also kicking off a series of videos packed with styling tricks and shopping pointers to help curate eBay’s 19 million daily fashion offerings. Her first video, “What’s Your Vintage Era” features Tollman’s advice on how to find and wear vintage fashion, using style icons through the decades as inspiration. 

Here, Tollman took time to share vintage shopping strategies as well as her must-have list for spring.

The Inside Source: You identified Old Hollywood Glamour as a favorite trend on the eBay fashion site, choosing a gorgeous shimmery cocktail dress and chain mail bag (pictured above) as your picks. What was the process you used to find those items?

Annabel Tollman: Well, I never really know exactly what I’m looking for as I’m shopping, but that said, there are certain keywords that I love, like “lace”, “floral”, and “sparkly”. So if you search for “cocktail dress” and “sparkly” you’re going to get a ton of options. I also like to refine by era. My two favorites are 1920-1938 and 1947-1964.

TIS: What is it about those particular time periods that appeals to you?

AT: I feel like the way that they used color and pattern in the Depression era was so refined. I love the amount of detail that went into the clothes. I also like the idea of faded glory—this stuff adds a bit of romance to everyday. People had fewer clothes, but they were handmade pieces. You don’t find that level of detail on clothes today—or at least the ones that I can afford! If you walk into the Dior boutique now, you’ll find exquisite pieces, but a dress might be the price of a car.

In terms of the ’50s, I love the femininity and frothiness of the clothes—and the exuberance. The nipped-in waist and full skirt is a silhouette that really works for me. You have to watch it though, because some of the bright prints can start to look a little kitschy.

TIS: Any styling tips for making vintage work?

AT: You can’t go head-to-toe vintage or you’ll look like you’re wearing a costume. Balance something frothy with something tougher to make it feel more modern. Two of my closet staples are a great army jacket and a great leather jacket, which instantly bring down the fanciness of whatever else you’re wearing and make any outfit look cooler.

TIS: What are the things you search for (and buy!) over and over again?

AT: I collect evening bags full stop. For me, they’re one of those things that really transform an outfit. Plus, they’re usually not terribly expensive and they make amazing gifts. A lot of my evening bags get around a bit—they tend to go out on the red carpet with my clients! I also love paste jewelry, which can look so sweet in hair, on a bag, really wherever.

TIS: Buy It Now vs. Auction?

AT: While bidding on an auction can definitely be exciting, if I want something, I want it today.

TIS: Any secrets for scoring hidden gems?

AT: Just keep going. Shopping eBay isn’t linear process; it’s more like navigating a spider’s web, so once you starting clicking around, hitting “More Like This,” or checking out what else a vendor has, you can find so much more. Start with something you like and then just keep on delving deeper. And if there’s a specific seller you like, make sure to add them to your favorites, since clearly they have a good eye and good sources.

TIS: What’s on your eBay shopping list right now?

AT: I’m always looking for Alaia, though I tend to wear his little wool dresses with tights in the winter. Now it’s all about cotton sundresses from the ’50s, which come to the knee and cover up a multitude of sins. I can never get enough party dresses. I love the Miss Hannigan look—kimonos and negligees and that sort of thing. I actually found a beautiful silk negligee recently for layering and belting with a tank dress. It’s perfect for summer when you want to slip on something easy. And I’ve also been buying a lot of 20’s and 30’s crepe tea dresses lately.

Tollman shares more specifics—and styling tricks—from her eBay wish list.

clockwise from top left:

Vintage 1950’s Kenneth Tischler Cotton Sundress (buy it now price, $149) “Love the divine peach color and the V at the front of this one. Wear it with a flat gold sandal and a tan clutch. This is the perfect summer dress to throw on and dash out the door.”

Christian Dior Vintage Silk Day Dress from the Early 50’s (buy it now price, $925) “I mean, just heaven. I would wear it with beautiful antique diamond or paste earrings—very delicate and pretty.”

Vintage Purple Deco Lace Dressing Gown (buy it now price, $899) “I know Saint Kate of Moss got slammed for wearing a robe, but luckily, you don’t have to deal with paparazzi! I would wear this over a tank and jeans for Mary-Kate Olsen cool.”

 Vintage 40’s Floral Pink Bias Cut Nightgown (buy it now price, $149.99) and Vintage 30’s Satin and Chantilly Lace Bias Cut Nightgown (buy it now price, $74) “I’d put a tank top underneath and wear these as dresses.”

Vintage 80’s Black Leather Motorcycle Jacket (buy it now price, $159.99) “I like that this leather jacket is so short. Sleeves always look better pushed up on any sort of jacket. I would put this over a ball gown or pretty dress, or wear it over a heather grey sweater and jeans. It’s your 24/7, 365 [days per year] jacket.”

Vintage 50’s Cotton Sundress (buy it now price, $249) “This dress is heaven. I don’t usually wear black in the summer, but this could be very sophisticated with nude accessories. I love the shape of the top and the straps.”

Emily Hsieh is a freelance writer and editor in New York City who has contributed to publications including Lucky, Allure, InStyle, and People.

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There are more ways to go green than simply with your own clothes, habits and home. Making earth-conscious choices for your children and pets can improve their health and the health of the planet. Fortunately, there is a virtual “green market” out there of innovative products that prove you can make small, environmentally-conscious changes with a  big impact. Want proof? Check out our picks.

The Inside Source Editorial Director Meredith Barnett confesses that she only started going green when she became pregnant and considered the importance of keeping her new baby healthy and leaving him with a  more sustainable planet. Plus, she knows that setting a green example will instill good habits in her children from the start.

Green toys and clothing are often made from organic, sustainable or reclaimed materials and are artisan-crafted instead of mass-produced.  You can make a green move by choosing these types of products. Or, since the greenest items is the one that already exists in the world, you can go green by purchasing pre-owned items at sites like eBay’s Green Shopping Hub. By extending the life of existing products, you can keep trash out of landfills and reduce waste and energy consumed by manufacturing new merchandise.  Plus, you’ll save money—a major added bonus since kids grow out of their toys and clothes so quickly.

Eco-friendly baby skincare is another category we’re keen (and green!) on—especially for babies’ sensitive skin. Since over 60 percent of what you put on your skin is absorbed into your body, we look for organic and all-natural products because they boast higher levels of natural nutrients and antioxidants than and have fewer irritants than regular products.

KEEPING KIDS EARTH CONSCIOUS

clockwise from top left: Green Toys Recycling Truck made from recycled milk bottles (buy it now price, $18.99), Green Toys Tea Set made from recycled milk bottles (buy it now price, $21.94), Mini Rodini 100% Organic Cotton Parrots Tee Dress ($48) Little Twig Baby Shampoo made with organic ingredients (buy it now price, $7-$12)

More product ideas: Toys and Clothes from Sweet William (look for brands including Mini Rodini, Clover, PopUpShop, and Nico Nico), Under the Nile Veggie Crate ($30), Earth Mama Angel Baby Skincare Products, California Baby Skincare Products

ECO-FRIENDLY FIDO

Today’s pets are serious consumers—of food, cleaning products, toys and treats. Fortunately, there are great eco-friendly choices out there for Fido and Fifi. 

Here are a few tips: Look for a doggy bed that’s not only durable, but also made of recycled materials; choose toys that are recyclable or made from recycled or organic materials; and find treats and food that are natural or organic. 

West Paw Dog Bed made of 100% recycled filler (buy it now price, $50-$150), Simply Fido Organic Pet Toys (buy it now price, $15-$20) 100% Recyclable Orbee Ball (buy it now price, $7-$15)

More Product Ideas: Harry Barker Pet Waste Dispenser made from recycled plastic and using biodegradable bags ($8), Waste Dispensers from Whole Foods Market, Toys and Treats from EarthDoggy

Check out these great green resources from eBay:

Green.ebay.com: eBay’s new green shopping hub, giving consumers access to millions of pre-owned, sustainable and resource-saving products available on eBay.

eBaygreenteam.com: The hub of eBay’s Green Team community, where nearly 200,000 buyers, sellers, and employees share tips, stories, and resources on how to buy, sell, and live greener every day.

WorldofGood.eBay.com: eBay’s marketplace for People and Eco Positive products where consumers can see the impact of their purchase on every “view item” page.

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“So are you loving that chartreuse glass thing you bought at the flea market in Marche St. Honore?” I ask the young British fashion designer Erdem Moralioglu, when I reach him by phone in London. He laughs, recalling the French dealer hawking this particular object: “It’s like a large bonbon jar. It was one in a million, remember? A very rare, amazing find!”

I first met Moralioglu (a master of the refined, flower-printed frock who has just won the prestigious British Fashion Council/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund prize), when I interviewed him this past February during London Fashion Week, and our freewheeling conversation somehow landed on the subject of collecting. (Was it my vintage 1940s reindeer sweater that prompted the discussion?) I found out in short order that 1) Moralioglu goes regularly to the monthly dealers’ market at the Kempton racetrack, which he describes as “hardcore” since it requires leaving London at 5 am because the whole thing closes up by noon. (I went to this once, and if you decide to go—bring cash! The ATM didn’t take my card, which almost cost me the Norah Welling South Sea Island doll I had my eye on.) And 2) He was going to be in Paris the same time as I was and was dying to do a little flea marketing together.

Now that I’ve returned to New York and Erdem is back in England, I’ve called him to ask him reflect on his collecting style. “I’m not a collector; I’m more of a hoarder. I go on kicks,” Moralioglu explains. “You want the complete set—it’s an insatiable kind of thing.” Though he insists that his interests lie mostly in printed matter—“I’m bookish and paperish”—how does that explain the chartreuse glass jar, and the hours we spent in the freezing cold bargaining for it a few weeks ago? And what about the two half-naked art deco bathing beauty figurines he bought at the Vanvas market in Paris, where he told me gleefully that he had license to buy anything, no matter how large, since he was showing his collection in France and would be trucking it all back to London anyway? 

Moralioglu may have shown some restraint during our Paris escapade (he did not end up schlepping home an armoire or a copper bathtub, though he did indulge his penchant for paper ephemera, snapping up a copy of a turn of the century magazine called Belle Époque) but he has hardly slowed down in the intervening weeks. When I ask what he has been up to lately, he says that he recently became obsessed with the 1970s male style guides by Charles Hix, and that, true to his collecting style, he has gone on eBay and amassed a whole roster of these tomes—works with titles like Looking Good and Man Alive.

So this Hix guy is what you’re into now? “Oh, no, I’m over him, completely over him.  I’ve moved on to [photographers] Bruce Weber and Duane Michals. I just bought a Weber book on eBay, but I don’t have it yet—I’m having it sent to my friend in Williamsburg, since I’ll be in New York in a few weeks.”

Moralioglu is nothing if not consistently resourceful when it comes to getting his finds home.  “The best things I ever found on eBay were these Robin Day molded plastic ‘60s chairs—amazingly beautiful! I bought four of them for like nothing, but then I had to hire a van to get them down [to London] from Wales.”

Though Moralioglu’s design studio is mostly decorated with this style of industrial furniture from the ‘60s and ‘70s—much of it found at the Kempton market in the UK—there is also room for a bit of Victoriana, namely a diorama, roughly two by three feet, of a taxidermy bat eating a pheasant. “There’s red dripping from its teeth! A vegetarian in my office wants it thrown out, but I refuse to remove it,” he says.

We arrange to spend a day exploring Manhattan’s sadly dwindling roster of antique markets when he’s in town in late May. He tells me he’ll be searching for vintage family albums. “I bought a German album with all these photos and cut-outs, and another album of a sailing family from the 1920s. And then I bought an auction lot made up of old family photos, just random persons from the turn of the century to the 1920s. They’re faded out around the edges, with free-floating faces in the middle. They’re amazing and inspiring!”

Well, Moralioglu is certainly all over the place—bonbon jars, plastic chairs, bathing beauties, photo albums, dead bats? When I ask if there is a connective tissue running through these disparate if heart-felt collections, he thinks for a moment. “They’re food for the brain… brain food! They’re just the things that are going to make the penny drop.”

Shop eBay Like Erdem

Seats of Power

1. 60s-70s Retro Robin Day Hille Stacking Chairs (buy it now price, $304.94)

Man Tailored

2. Man Alive by Charles Hix & Stephen AuCoin, 1984 (buy it now price, $6.48)

Bird Watching

3. Taxidermy Victorian Era Stuffed Birds, Late 1800s (buy it now price, $1,500)

Hit Album

4. Large Family Photo Album, 1920s, Nebraska, Wyoming (buy it now price, $60)

Water Sport

5. Bathing Beauty (winning bid, $26.02)

Erdem Runway and Celebrity Images

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