amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Senior Director of Communications, (212) 806-1607,

bennah.serfaty@amfar.org

Please send credential requests to:

Caroline Humphrey, amfAR Media Relations Associate, (212) 806-1632,

caroline.humphrey@amfar.org

HEIDI KLUM, DAKOTA JOHNSON, MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ Among Chairs of amfAR’s MILAN FASHION WEEK GALA

RENZO ROSSO TO BE HONORED

DEBBIE HARRY AND ICONA POP TO PERFORM

Event presented by Harry Winston

New York, NY, September 14, 2015--On Saturday, September 26th, 2015, amfAR Milano, the seventh annual benefit for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, will be presented by Harry Winston and held in conjunction with Milan Fashion Week. Chairs of the event will include Heidi Klum, Michelle Rodriguez, Dakota Johnson, Irina Shayk, Goga Ashkenazi, Dean and Dan Caten, Eva Cavalli, Peter Dundas, Nayla Hayek, Angela Missoni, Vincent Roberti, Remo Ruffini, Franca Sozzani, Hormoz Vasfi, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, and amfAR Chairman of the Board Kenneth Cole.

The black-tie gala, consistently one of the most highly anticipated events of Milan Fashion Week, will return to the historic La Permanente and feature a cocktail reception, dinner, live auction, and special performances by Debbie Harry, legendary recording artist and front woman of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame American rock band Blondie, which has sold 50 million records worldwide, and Swedish pop duo Icona Pop, who became household names in 2012 with their triple platinum hit single “I Love It ft. Charli XCX,” taken from their debut album This Is…Icona Pop. The duo recently released a brand new single “Emergency,” which has been climbing the charts worldwide, and has been busy touring North America with One Direction and working on a new album.

OTB Group President Renzo Rosso will be presented with amfAR’s Award of Courage at the amfAR Milano gala, in recognition of his outstanding personal commitment to the fight against AIDS, as well as his leadership in generating valuable corporate support of amfAR by the OTB Group’s brands.

Throughout the years, the Italian fashion community has been exemplary in its support of amfAR, with fashion houses and designers underwriting and leading many of the Foundation’s most successful fundraising efforts. Since amfAR’s first international benefit, held in 1993 during the Cannes Film Festival and hosted by amfAR Founding International Chairman Dame Elizabeth Taylor, the Foundation’s international galas in Milan, New York, Cannes, Venice, Rome, and beyond have become some of the most high-profile and eagerly anticipated charity events in the world and have helped raise millions for critical AIDS research programs.

Harry Winston is the Presenting Partner of amfAR Milano. MoëtHennessy is the Signature Partner. Vionnet is the After Party Partner. Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of amfAR.

For more information, visit www.amfar.org

www.facebook.com/amfarthefoundationforaidsresearch

www.twitter.com/amfAR

www.instagram.com/amfAR

#amfARMilano

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 the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested $415 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 next three years. 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 will also become 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.