Keira's good cause gown

Keira Knightley wearing the dress that was auctioned. Picture / Reuters

A custom-made gown worn to this year's Academy Awards by British actress Keira Knightley has been sold in an online auction for £4301 ($12,383) to fund relief work in East Africa.

The burgundy silk-taffeta one-shoulder gown, designed for Knightley, was bought by a Chicago bidder.

Designer Vera Wang supported the decision to put the dress up for sale and displayed it at her Manhattan flagship store while the online auction took place.