FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Senior Director of Communications, (212) 806-1607 or bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Caroline Humphrey, amfAR Media Relations Associate, (212) 806-1632 or caroline.humphrey@amfar.org
MktMix:
Samantha Simon, +55 (11) 3060-3640 or samanthasimon@mktmix.com.br
amfAR RAISES MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION FOR AIDS RESEARCH AT THE 7th amfAR GALA SÃO PAULO
VIK MUNIZ HONORED
KATIE HOLMES ATTENDED AS SPECIAL GUEST
PERFORMANCES BY ANITTA AND PRETA GIL
Presented by Harry Winston
PRESS IMAGES: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/u2ugl6vf0ltamun/AABy7E1qUMu8nmMWx1dgwLaSa?dl=0
EPK LINK: https://www.dropbox.com/s/dpimd6z14ynrkim/amfAR_2017.mov?dl=0
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL, April 28, 2017 — Katie Holmes, Kate Moss, Dinho Diniz, Felipe Diniz, Anitta, Preta Gil, Sabrina Sato, Mert Alas, Barbara Fialho, and Julian Lennon were among those who gathered at the seventh annual amfAR Gala São Paulo to honor Brazilian artist Vik Muniz for his commitment to the fight against AIDS. The event, presented by Harry Winston, raised over $1.3 million for amfAR’s lifesaving AIDS research programs.
Other guests in attendance included Ronaldo, Marina Ruy Barbosa, Mariah Bernardes, Paulo Gustavo, Juliana Paes, Lea T., Regina Casé, Fiorella Matheis, Luciana Gimenez, Lucas Jagger, Regina Pereira, Paula Martins, Fernanda Paes Leme, Erika Alkessuani, Rodrigo Bocardi, Júlia Faria, Helena Bordon, Lala Rudge, Lele Saddi, Malu Barreto, Lea Cerezo, Yasmin Brunet, Fernanda Motta, Laura Neiva, Anna Fasano, Donata Meirelles, Isabella Santoni, Celina Locks, Carolina Ferraz, Luiza Brunet, Deborah Nascimento, José Loretto, Cauã Raymond, Fabio Porchat, Sergio Marone, Didi Wagner, Beto Pacheco, Carol Ribeiro, Adriane Gaisteu, Mariana Goldfarb, Sergio Degese, Carlo Jereissati Filho, and Miguel Garcia, among others.
Katie Holmes and Felipe Diniz opened the evening by welcoming guests and thanking the event sponsors. Holmes then introduced amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, who spoke about amfAR’s Countdown to a Cure for AIDS initiative, which in less than three years has awarded grants totaling close to $40 million to support HIV cure-focused research conducted by more than 150 scientists working at 55 institutions in 10 countries around the world.
Regina Casé, host of the 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and known as “the queen of diversity” in Brazil, presented the amfAR Award of Courage to “one of today’s most important and influential artists,” Vik Muniz. Muniz, who has been a dedicated supporter of amfAR and donated many of his pieces for auction at amfAR’s galas in São Paulo, contributing nearly $400,000 to AIDS research, described the recognition as an incredible honor.
The evening also featured two spectacular live performances. Model Lea T. introduce the evening’s first performer, Brazilian singer Preta Gil, who gave a meaningful performance of Children of the Rainbow, an upcoming song to benefit amfAR.
Brazilian television personality Sabrina Sato introduced the evening’s headliner, two-time Latin Grammy Award-nominated singer Anitta, who ended the event with an explosive set of her biggest hits that kept guests dancing into the night.
Guests also enjoyed bidding on an array of exclusive items and experiences during the live auction, conducted by Simon de Pury. Highlights included:
- Symphony in White,No. 1: The White Girl, after James Whistler, Pictures of Magazines, a work by the evening’s honoree Vik Muniz, sold for $135,000.
- A once-in-a-lifetime private photo session with international celebrity Kim Kardashian West by renowned fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, which will be featured as a full page in Vogue Brasil, sold for $70,000.
- Legendary entertainer and 2015 amfAR Gala São Paulo Honoree, Cher, auctioned off her personal Harry Winston Midnight Monochrome 32mm Rose Gold and Diamond Quarts Timepiece, worn on stage at the event by Host Kate Moss, as well as two tickets to the Classic Cher show at the Monte Carlo in Las Vegas with an opportunity to meet her after the show, which sold for $25,000.
- Two invitations to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Order of the Garter procession with the Queen of England and members of the royal family sold for $50,000.
- Retrato, a work by twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo known as OSGEMOS, sold for $60,000.
- Moët Hennessy provided a Monaco Grand Prix experience. The winning couple will enjoy a weekend of Moët Hennessy savoir-faire and art de vivre combining luxury wines and spirits, gastronomic feasts, and VIP tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix including access to the paddocks.
Dinho Diniz, Felipe Diniz, and Kate Moss served as Event Hosts. Chairs of the event included Pedro Almodóvar, Malu Barreto, Victoria Beckham, amfAR Chairman of the Board Kenneth Cole, Francisco Costa, Sergio Degese, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, Nizan Guanaes and Donata Meirelles, Lewis Hamilton, Nayla Hayek, Carlos Jereissati Filho, Julian Lennon, Marina Morena, Sean Patterson, Catarina Pires, Vincent Roberti, Nara Roesler, Sabrina Sato, and Lea T. Miguel Garcia and Holger Marquardt were Vice Chairs.
Harry Winston was the Presenting Sponsor. The event’s Signature Sponsors were Iguatemi São Paulo, Karavelle and Moët Hennessy (Moët Hennessy’s photos can be found here: http://www.image.net/amfarsaopaulo). Mercedes-Benz, Tivoli Mofarrej and Vogue Brasil were the Associate Sponsors. Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of amfAR. The amfAR Gala São Paulo was produced by Josh Wood/Josh Wood Productions.
To date, the amfAR Gala São Paulo has raised over $11.5 million for amfAR’s lifesaving AIDS research programs.
About amfAR:
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $480 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,300 grants to research teams worldwide.
About Harry Winston, Inc.:
Founded in New York City in 1932, The House of Harry Winston continues to set the standard for the ultimate in fine jewelry and high-end watch making. From the acquisition of some of the world’s most famous gemstones, including the Jonker, Hope and Winston Legacy Diamonds, to adorning Hollywood’s leading ladies on the red carpet, for over eight decades, Harry Winston has been a symbol of the best there is. Headquartered in New York, the company operates retail salons worldwide, in locations including: New York, Beverly Hills, London, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
About Harry Winston’s Partnership with amfAR:
In January 2015, Harry Winston, Inc., announced a groundbreaking new partnership with amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, that represents the single largest corporate partnership in the Foundation’s history. Through a wide range of contributions including direct financial support and in-kind donations, Harry Winston will help advance amfAR’s efforts to end the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research.
Harry Winston is the first company to serve as the presenting sponsor for the organization’s 27 gala events taking place across the globe over the three-year period, 2015−2017. These events are vital to raising more than half of amfAR’s general operating support, enabling the organization to invest wisely in pioneering research and programs. The company is also a leading supporter of amfAR’s Countdown to a Cure initiative, which is aimed at developing the scientific basis for a cure for HIV/AIDS by 2020.