ABU DHABI.- Julien's Auctions announced the launch of Julien's Celebrity & Culture Week in Abu Dhabi. This exciting new international platform will celebrate the people, stories, and artifacts that have shaped global popular culture.
Debuting in December 2026, Celebrity & Culture Week will bring world-renowned collectors, museums, luxury brands, entertainment leaders, designers, and cultural tastemakers to Abu Dhabi, for an immersive multi-day experience featuring museum-quality exhibitions, live auctions, exclusive programming, educational conversations, and events.
The Rosewood Abu Dhabi will be Julien’s Official Venue Partner, serving as host for the inaugural Celebrity & Culture Week and will welcome guests from around the world during Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW). Located on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi’s premier business and lifestyle destination, Rosewood Abu Dhabi is renowned for its refined hospitality, distinctive sense of place, and commitment to creating meaningful experiences that connect guests with the culture and spirit of the UAE.
"Celebrity & Culture Week represents the next chapter for Julien's Auctions. Together with the Rosewood Abu Dhabi, we are creating far more than an auction event." said Darren Julien, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Julien's Auctions.
"We are building an international destination where culture, storytelling, collecting, luxury, and innovation come together, bringing some of the world's most extraordinary cultural treasures to Abu Dhabi." Said Martin Nolan, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Julien's Auctions
"We are honored to partner with Julien’s Auctions as Celebrity & Culture Week arrives in Abu Dhabi and to welcome this exceptional global platform to Rosewood Abu Dhabi. This collaboration reflects Abu Dhabi’s growing influence as a destination for culture, creativity and international exchange, and we look forward to creating memorable experiences that bring together global audiences through the power of storytelling, culture and hospitality." Said Remus Palimaru, Managing Director of Rosewood Abu Dhabi
At the heart of the inaugural edition will be three headline auctions showcasing exceptional pieces of entertainment, fashion, music, and royal history:
Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy Auction — The largest and most unprecedented collection of stage costumes, accessories, video worn and iconic wardrobe pieces from Michael Jackson, celebrating one of the most influential artists in history.
Princess Diana: Influence, Fashion, & A Royal Collection — The largest Princess Diana Auction featuring historically important garments and personal items worn by Princess Diana, continuing Julien's record-breaking series of royal auctions.
Pop Culture Legends — a curated sale spanning music, film, fashion, and contemporary culture, featuring exceptional property connected to icons including Bruce Lee, Banksy, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Madonna, Eddie Van Halen, Sabrina Carpenter, and many more.
Highlights from these auctions include:
Michael Jackson | “Vibe” Magazine Photo Shoot-Worn Bedazzled Glove with Magazine | Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000
Michael Jackson | Thriller Video Worn Loafers | Estimate: $20,000- $40,000
Michael Jackson | Bad Tour Jacket worn by Michael Jackson designed by Tompkins & Bush | Estimate: $60,000- $80,000 ** This jacket was donated by Michael Jackson to Tony Martell to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.
Michael Jackson | Bad Tour Stage-Worn Embellished Thriller Jacket | Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000
Kurt Cobain | Played Guitar | Estimate: $60,000 - $80,000 Kurt Cobain | Stage-Worn Jacket | Estimate: $20,000 - $40,000
Mark Twain | Owned Guitar | Estimate: $100,00- $200,000
Bruce Lee | Game of Death Iconic Yellow Nunchaku | Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000
Princess Diana | 1995 Catherine Walker CFDA Event Worn Navy Blue Evening Gown | Estimate: $200,000 - $400,000
Princess Diana | 1997 Angola-Worn Selfridges Suede Driving Loafers | Estimate: $20,000–$30,000
Princess Diana | 1997 Ralph Lauren Photo Worn Button-Shirt | Estimate: $10,000-$20,000
Among these standout offerings are extraordinary pieces from two of the twentieth century’s most enduring icons. Michael Jackson highlights include the bedazzled glove worn for his March 2002 Vibe cover; his Thriller music video loafers, accompanied by a personal letter to choreographer Michael Peters; and two Bad World Tour jackets, including a buckle jacket signed and donated to the T.J. Martell Foundation and one of only six light-up Thriller performance jackets made. Princess Diana highlights include the Catherine Walker gown worn to present Liz Tilberis with a CFDA Award in 1995, the suede loafers worn during her historic 1997 landmine walk in Angola, and the Ralph Lauren shirt worn while visiting landmine survivors in Bosnia, powerful artifacts reflecting the style, influence, cultural impact and humanitarian legacy of two global icons.
Throughout the week, visitors will experience a museum-quality exhibition bringing together highlights from all three auctions into a single immersive gallery. Supported by archival imagery, historical context, and authenticated provenance, the exhibition reflects Julien's longstanding commitment to preserving and celebrating global cultural heritage.
Beyond the exhibitions and live auctions, Celebrity & Culture Week will feature collector experiences, luxury hospitality partnerships, exclusive receptions, brand collaborations, and cultural programming, establishing Abu Dhabi as the new global capital for collectibles, celebrity culture and luxury collecting.
The beginning of Julien's global campaign kicks off with a popup exhibition Michael Jackson: The Fashion Legacy at Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP), from August 22 - September 7, 2026. The exhibition serves as the first chapter in a worldwide series of activations celebrating Michael Jackson's unparalleled influence on music, fashion, and performance.
