Nearly $1 Million Raised for AIDS Research at amfAR’s Inspiration Gala in New York
Fergie and Robert Duffy honored with Piaget Award of Inspiration; Event presented by M·A·C Viva Glam
For Immediate Release
Media Contacts: Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director, Communications, bennah.serfaty@amfar.org; Natalie Marquis, Media Relations Associate, natalie.marquis@amfar.org,
212-806-1694
New York, NY, June 8, 2012—Fergie, Robert Duffy, Marc
Jacobs, Hilary Swank, Rose McGowan, Cheyenne Jackson, Greg Louganis, Francisco Costa, Larry Boland, Sean Patterson,
M·A·C AIDS Fund Chairman John Demsey, amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde
Krim, and amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole were among those who came out last night
to amfAR’s Inspiration Gala. The black-tie
benefit, hosted by longtime dedicated amfAR supporters Cheyenne Jackson and
Rose McGowan, celebrated men’s style with an Olympic sports-themed runway show
and raised nearly $1 million for amfAR’s life-saving AIDS research programs.
Iconic recording artist and eight-time Grammy winner
Fergie and Marc Jacobs International President Robert Duffy were honored at the
event, each receiving the Piaget Award of Inspiration in recognition of their
contributions to the fight against AIDS.
Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank presented Mr. Duffy with his
award, praising her longtime friend for “embodying what compassion is all about.” Francisco Costa, the Women’s Creative Director of Calvin Klein,
presented Fergie with her award. Upon
accepting, Fergie gave a speech that was both humble and energetic, breaking
out into song twice: once to belt out “We Are The Champions” in recognition of
the night’s athletic theme, and again to spell out “a..m..f..A..R” to the tune of her chart-topping hit
“Glamorous.”
The event kicked off with a runway show of exclusive
looks by the world’s leading menswear designers, featuring black-tie takes on
athletic wear, inspired by the upcoming Olympic Games. Legendary Olympic
medalist and AIDS activist Greg Louganis made a special appearance in the
fashion show, modeling a Hugo Boss suit.
Rugby star Ben Cohen also walked in the fashion show, alongside top male
models. Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Diesel, Dsquared2 Men's, Giorgio Armani,
Givenchy, Hugo Boss, Jean Paul Gaultier, Kenneth Cole, Lanvin, Marc Jacobs,
Michael Kors, Piaget, Ralph Lauren, Rick Owens, Rodrigo Otazu, SWAROVSKI
CRYSTALLIZED™, Thom Browne, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, and Y-3 were among the
designers who donated looks for the runway show. The live auction, which was conducted with
the help of Simon Doonan, raised $139,000. Fergie, one of the evening’s most
active and generous bidders, walked away
with a trip to Brazil for amfAR’s Sao Paulo event and a Marc Jacobs fashion
package.
The Scissor Sisters closed out the night with a thrilling
set that included songs from their new album Magic Hour, as well as their international #1 hit “I Don’t Feel
Like Dancin.”
The Inspiration Gala was presented by Title Sponsor M•A•C
Viva Glam, Award of Inspiration Sponsor Piaget, Fashion Sponsor HUGO BOSS,
Kohler Co., and B&B Italia. Cocktails were provided courtesy of GREY GOOSE®
Cherry Noir. In-Kind Sponsors for the event included Mandarin Oriental, New
York, Jeff Leatham Design, and Coloredge New York + Los Angeles. The
Inspiration Galas are a series of amfAR benefit events, produced by Josh Wood
Productions, celebrating all aspects of men’s style. Previous events in the
series have taken place in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and São Paulo, raising
more than $4 million for AIDS research.
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 more than $366
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.
About M·A·C
Cosmetics
M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), a leading brand of
professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1984 and is part of
The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. The company’s popularity has grown through a
tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models,
photographers and journalists around the world. M·A·C is now sold in 79
countries/territories worldwide. Follow M·A·C on Twitter @MACcosmetics (twitter.com/maccosmetics),
become a M·A·C fan on Facebook (facebook.com/maccosmetics), watch M·A·C videos on YouTube
and find our M·A·C Senior Artists at macartiststweets.com. For a M·A·C location visit maccosmetics.com.
Delta Air Lines is the official airline of amfAR.