Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish yesterday formally opened a "pop up shop" which will sell items from their flamboyant clothing collection, for charity.

The shop is being set up to sell clothes and accessories directly from their wardrobes, from today until next Saturday.

The items will feature outfits worn by Sir Elton on stage, Furnish's favourite shirts, plus sunglasses, luggage and belts.

A pop up shop is set up temporarily for a specific purpose.

It will be restocked daily until items sell out and a clearance sale will take place on any unsold stock next Saturday.

All proceeds from sales at the event, called Out The Closet, will go to support the work of the Elton John Aids Foundation.

It is the fifth pop up shop the Foundation has held, and in the past, shoppers have included Elle Macpherson, Natalie Imbruglia and Elizabeth Hurley.

The last Out The Closet, on Regent Street in 2002, sold about 15,000 items and raised £400,000 for the Foundation.

Sir Elton said: "We always get a fantastic response from the public - I think the idea that the items we all buy and enjoy can help someone in dire need, particularly at this time of year, really strikes a chord."

Mr Furnish said: "For the first time we have sunglasses in store and other accessories which will make great Christmas gifts."

The shop is at the Flower Cellars in Russell Street, Covent Garden, London.