James Franco and Michael Kors To Be Honored At amfAR's NY Inspiration Event Celebrating Men's Style
Liza Minnelli and Jennifer Hudson to Perform; Heidi Klum, Courtney Love, Andy Cohen, Nicola Formichetti, and Thom Browne among Chairs
For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Bennah Serfaty- Senior Director, Communications- bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Natalie Jacobs- Media Coordinator- natalie.jacobs@amfar.org
New York, NY, June 1, 2011—amfAR will pay tribute to actor James Franco and designer Michael Kors at its second annual Inspiration Gala New York on June 14th at the Museum of Modern Art. Franco will receive the Piaget Award of Inspiration for his humanitarian work and contributions to men’s style, while Kors will receive the amfAR Award of Courage for his stellar leadership in the fight against AIDS. The event is being presented by Reca Group.
Larry Boland, President of Piaget North America, stated “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with amfAR, and we are especially proud to honor James Franco, one of Hollywood’s most inspiring actors, with the Piaget Award of Inspiration for his commitment to the fight against AIDS.”
The theme for the evening, which is a benefit for amfAR, will be Black Tie/Hot Metal and will be celebrated in a fashion show featuring all aspects of men’s style. Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Atelier, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein Collection, DSquared2, Yves Saint Laurent, Piaget, Michael Kors, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Elie Tahari, Marc Jacobs, Giorgio Armani, Thom Browne, Vivienne Westwood, Hugo Boss, and Kenneth Cole are among the designers who have donated looks for the runway show, which will be presented by Wilhelmina Models. In addition to a fashion show, the evening, produced by Josh Wood Productions, will include specially crafted Grey Goose cocktails, dinner, a live auction, and special performances by Liza Minnelli and Jennifer Hudson.
Honorary chairs for the evening include Hamish Bowles, Thom Browne, Andy Cohen, amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, Nicola Formichetti, Cheyenne Jackson and Monte Lapka, Heidi Klum, Courtney Love, Sean Patterson, and Italo Zucchelli.
Inspiration New York is part of a series of events celebrating men’s style that benefits the Foundation’s innovative AIDS research programs. A partnership between amfAR and Josh Wood Productions, the series also includes events in Paris, São Paulo, and Los Angeles.
Sponsors of the Inspiration Gala New York include: Reca Group (Presenting Sponsor), Piaget (Award of Inspiration Sponsor), Wilhelmina Models (Runway Sponsor), Hugo Boss (Fashion Presentation Sponsor), Bodhi Bags (Fashion Accessory Sponsor), Grey Goose Vodka (Luxury Spirits Provider), Audi (Car Sponsor), B&B Italia (Décor Sponsor), Coloredge – New York + Los Angeles (Large Format Print Sponsor), Jeff Leatham (floral installations), Hairdressers Against AIDS/L’Oréal Professional Products Division (hair styling), Bubble Lounge/Deutz (Champagne Sponsors), and Mondrian SoHo (Hotel Sponsor).
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 nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.
About Josh Wood Productions
Josh Wood Productions is dedicated to creating provocative and socially conscious events, concerts, festivals, theatrical productions, political fundraisers, and nightlife. Recent projects include the creation of the amfAR Inspiration Gala series in New York, Paris, and Los Angeles honoring Jean-Paul Gaultier and the Ricky Martin Foundation; “America: Now & Here,” a national touring exhibition of the greatest living artists in America including Paul Simon, Cindy Sherman, and Julian Schnabel; and the Highline Festival curated by David Bowie. Raising money for nonprofits as diverse as Oxfam, Downtown for Democracy, Rock the Vote, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others, events have featured artists from Kylie Minogue to Lady Gaga, David Bowie to Lou Reed, and Arcade Fire to Pink.
Reca Group
For more than 50 years Reca Group, founded by the Diacci family, has been bringing the values of “Made in Italy” in the production of labels, hangtags, and packaging. Enterprising and dynamic under the direction of its president Mr. Paolo Diacci, Reca Group became a leader in the international market of trimmings. The continuous research of innovative materials and techniques, the well balanced and creative designs, and the customer oriented service have permitted to the Italian company to establish “fil rouge” with the best known brands in the fashion industry. For more information, visit www.recagroup.com.
HP is the official technology supplier of amfAR.
Delta is the official airline of amfAR.