Sir Jony Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of design, has created one-of-a-kind 18k solid gold Apple EarPods to benefit Bono’s Project (RED) charity, with proceeds going to The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and Malaria.
The gold EarPods, created by Ive and designer Marc Newson, are part of a collection of pieces that celebrate “masterworks of design and innovation”. Ive and Newson curated the over the last year and half. Other pieces include a Steinway & Sons grand piano, an Hermès saddle crafted in red, and a customized magnum of Dom Perignon 1966 with a custom red label.
Ive said, “It’s been a fantastic honor to curate this collection of objects with Marc for the auction at Sotheby’s. Each piece represents the value of thoughtful design. What we create for each other is not only a comment on our culture but of course in many ways defines it. (RED) is making a difference in the lives of millions of people and we’re humbled to make this contribution to such an important and worthy cause.”
The (RED) charity auction will be held on November 23 at Sotheby’s New York.