Today the Financial Times’ luxury lifestyle magazine How To Spend It announces the launch of its 20th anniversary fundraising issue and auction. In an industry first, each item and experience pictured in the magazine will be auctioned by Christie’s in an online sale between 29 November and 11 December. All proceeds will be donated to Save the Children, the charity that promotes children’s rights, provides relief and helps support children in developing countries. A preview of the lots can be found here.

Titled How To Give It, and published on 29 November, this unique commemorative issue will feature 83 lots with a combined value of over £500,000. The magazine will feature interviews with Colin Firth, Marc Newson, Stella McCartney, Rene Redzepi and Lapo Elkann. Star lots include a £93,300 limited edition Chopard Tourbillon watch made of Fairmined 18ct rose gold; a £32,000 holiday for two on North Island, Seychelles; one-of-a kind handbags by Prada and Gucci, each worth in excess of £20,000; and a champagne-paired dinner for six people hosted by Olivier Krug in his childhood home in Reims, worth £15,000.

Gillian de Bono, editor of How To Spend It, said: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity of all the luxury brands donating one-of a-kind, bespoke or high value items to our anniversary auction, and the enthusiasm of everyone involved. I am extremely grateful to Christie’s who waived all commissions for this project so that all the funds raised go directly to Save the Children.”

Justin Forsyth, chief executive of Save the Children added: “Save the Children teams are working around the clock in some of the toughest places in the world to stop children dying from malaria, diarrhoea, malnutrition and now Ebola. They are working hard to make sure all children get a chance to fulfil their potential through an education. And when disaster strikes and children are at risk, there is no time to lose. We do whatever it takes to save and protect children. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to creating this special 20th anniversary issue of How to Spend It as the generous sum of money raised will transform the lives of thousands of the world’s most vulnerable children. Thank you.”

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Published 31 times a year with the Financial Times, How To Spend It is widely regarded as the benchmark for luxury lifestyle magazines. It is also available online at howtospendit.com and as an app. During Gillian de Bono’s tenure as editor, How To Spend It has been named Colour Supplement of the Year 13 times at the Newspaper Awards, and is the only colour supplement to have won all three major industry awards in a single year: The British Press Awards 2004, the British Society of Magazine Editors 2004 and The 2004 Newspaper Awards. How To Spend It also stands out as the only newspaper colour supplement with a foreign language edition, following the recent launch of its partnership with Il Sole 24 Ore.

Save the Children works in 120 countries. We save children’s lives. We fight for their rights. We help them fulfill their potential. For more information, please visit www.savethechildren.org.uk.

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Kristina Eriksson
T: +44 (0)207 873 4961
E: kristina.eriksson@FT.com