Donatella Versace is auctioning an internship at the Versace offices in New York.

The fashion icon has joined a charity auction for non-profit organisation The Art of Elysium and is offering a position at the fashion house which she co-founded.

The internship will last a full semester, or academic term, and the highest bidder will not only work from the Versace office, but also get to visit a Donatella Versace and Christopher Kane show in Milan, at which the intern will get the opportunity to meet with Donatella, as well as receiving a signed perfume bottle and T-shirt.

The auction is valued at $20,000.

It should be an interesting time to work at the fashion house - which is currently being restructured - as Donatella recently talked about how the current difficult economic climate leads more people to be innovative.

She said: "You would say that when there is less money around everything becomes dull, but this means you kill the economy. Everything has to be more wearable, but more creative.

"Less evening dresses maybe, and more day clothes, but recognisable, with a strong personality."

The Versace auction, which ends on May 13, joins another offered by US Vogue editor Anna Wintour for a week-long internship at the fashion magazine in aid of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights.

The winner of that internship will get the opportunity to meet with Anna as well as getting two tickets to New York's Fashion Week, and a host of Vogue related goodies. The experience will also be tailored to the intern's specific interests. Bidding on the internship is currently at $13,000.