amfAR New York Gala Raises More Than $1.4 Million for AIDS Research
Event Presented by Hublot; Roberto
Cavalli, Caroline Scheufele, and Goldman Sachs Gives honored; Event hosted
by Sarah Jessica Parker, with performances by Theophilus London and Janelle
Monáe
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media contacts: Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director of Communications, (212) 806-1607 or bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Natalie Marquis, Media Relations Associate, (212) 806-1694 or natalie.marquis@amfar.org
New
York, NY, February 9, 2012—Sarah Jessica Parker hosted amfAR’s annual kick-off
to fashion week last night, its signature New York Gala, where the Foundation
honored Roberto Cavalli, Chopard co-president Caroline Scheufele, and Dr. R. Martin
Chavez on behalf of Goldman Sachs Gives.
Each was presented with amfAR’s Award of Courage for their vital and
distinctive contributions to the global struggle against HIV/AIDS. The
black-tie benefit, presented by Hublot along with presenting sponsor M·A·C Viva
Glam, featured performances by Theophilus London and Janelle Monáe, and raised
more than $1.4 million for AIDS research.
To
open the night, Sarah Jessica Parker introduced a tribute to amfAR’s late
Founding International Chairman, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, stating, “Elizabeth
Taylor taught the world how to respond to this deadly disease. Through her
compassion, her unshakeable adherence to the basic principles of humanity, and
with a powerful and unwavering voice, she issued a clarion call to
action.” The tribute included a video
montage of Dame Elizabeth’s most iconic film appearances, with musical
accompaniment by opera singer Michelle Johnson.
Supermodel
Cindy Crawford presented Roberto Cavalli with his award, calling the designer
“a driving force to rally the fashion community around AIDS.” Caroline Scheufele was presented with her
award by David Furnish, chairman of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. For many years, Mr. Cavalli and Ms. Scheufele
have been among the strongest supporters of amfAR and the fight against AIDS,
though Ms. Scheufele remarked, “It’s much too early, because you should make me
work a little bit more. But now I will
be stimulated to work much more for this foundation, and for this important
cause.” amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole
presented to amfAR Board Member and Goldman Sachs Managing Director Dr. R.
Martin Chavez an Award of Courage in recognition of Goldman Sachs Gives’
commitment to amfAR. Goldman Sachs Gives is now one of the largest corporate
donor-advised funds in the world supporting many causes including HIV/AIDS.
The
evening culminated with a performance by one of the most exciting artists of
the moment: the dynamic singer, songwriter, producer, and performer Janelle
Monáe. The visionary Ms. Monáe performed a rendition of the Jackson 5’s “I Want
You Back,” as well as the hit “Tightrope” from her critically acclaimed and
multiple Grammy Award-nominated debut album “The ArchAndroid.” Theophilus
London, the much buzzed about Brooklyn-based musician, also performed.
In
attendance at the New York Gala were Event Chairs Woody Allen and Soon-Yi
Previn, Glenda Bailey, Kenneth Cole, John Demsey, Nina Garcia, David Furnish,
Heidi Klum, amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim, Roberta Myers, Vincent
Roberti, Bill Roedy, Carine Roitfeld, and Stanley Tucci. Other guests included
Jennifer Hudson, Julianne Moore, Elizabeth Hurley, Leighton Meester, Rose
Byrne, Padma Lakshmi, Camila Alves, Alexa Chung, Linda Evangelista, Debbie
Harry, Erin Heatherton, Cheyenne Jackson, Liya Kebede, Karolina Kurkova, Kellan Lutz, Anja Rubik, and Molly Sims, among many others.
The
event’s live auction, conducted by Lydia Fenet, included a Robert Mapplethorpe
print of Richard Gere, presented by Padma Lakshmi, which sold for $20,000. Cindy Crawford and Elizabeth Hurley joined on
stage to auction off a “Roberto Cavalli’s World” package, which included a trip
to Milan to sit front row at Roberto Cavalli’s womenswear fashion show during
Milan Fashion Week, a backstage meet and greet with the designer and a personal
styling session at his Milan boutique. The experience sold for $32,000. Stanley Tucci introduced an edition 1 of 100
Hublot watch made especially for amfAR, engraved with the signature of Dr.
Mathilde Krim. Gloria Estefan modeled
the watch, which sold for $30,000. The highest selling single lot of the night
was an iconic Christopher Makos portrait of Andy Warhol. Debbie Harry introduced the piece, which
fetched $44,000.
Since
1998, amfAR’s New York Gala has been one of New York City’s most successful and high-profile
AIDS benefits. The gala has raised more than $12 million in support of amfAR’s
programs. Previous honorees have included President Bill Clinton, Dame
Elizabeth Taylor, Diane von Furstenberg, Yves Carcelle, Sir Elton John and
David Furnish, Clive Davis, Peter Dolan/Bristol Myers Squibb, Richard Gere,
Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks, Quincy Jones, Donna Karan, Patti LaBelle, Lorne
Michaels, Liza Minnelli, Rosie O’Donnell, Howard and Cindy Rachofsky, Sumner
Redstone/Viacom, Natasha Richardson, Bill Roedy/MTV Networks, Carine Roitfeld,
Julian Schnabel, Bobby Shriver, Sharon Stone, Barbara Walters, Robin Williams,
and Anna Wintour.
Mandarin
Oriental New York was the event’s hotel partner. Diageo was the event’s spirits
sponsor. HP is the official technology supplier of amfAR. Delta Air Lines is
the official airline of
amfAR.
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 Hublot, the exclusive story of fusion
Hublot made its name 30 years ago when it became the first Swiss
watch luxury brand to fuse precious metals with functional rubber, sparking a
revolution for material innovation and aesthetics. In 2004, Mr. Jean-Claude
Biver gave Hublot a great new boost and revolutionized watchmaking with the
creation of the “Big Bang”, which marked the start of the spectacular success
of the brand.
In just five years Hublot has become one of the most sought-out
high-end watch brands with some of its timepieces making watch history, such as
the One Million Dollar Big Bang, All Black Big Bang and Mag Bang watches. In
2008 Hublot was bought by the LVMH group with Jean-Claude Biver as CEO and
leading the company's guiding principle of "Fusion," which combines
unusual materials such as ceramic, tantalum, magnesium and titanium with a
modern version of Hublot’s rubber strap.
For more information, visit Hublot.com
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. Become M·A·C fan
at facebook.com/maccosmetics. View M·A·C YouTube and follow our M·A·C Artists
on http://www.macartiststweets.com/. For a
M·A·C location visit maccosmetics.com.