FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director of Communications, (212) 806-1607 or bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Caroline Humphrey, Media Relations Associate, (212) 806-1632 or caroline.humphrey@amfar.org
SCARLETT JOHANSSON AND DONATELLA VERSACE
TO BE HONORED AT amfAR’s ANNUAL
FASHION WEEK NEW YORK GALA
Lena Dunham to Host
Ellie Goulding to Perform
Presented by Harry Winston
New York, NY, January 9, 2017— On Wednesday, February 8, 2017, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, will kick off New York Fashion Week with its annual New York Gala at Cipriani Wall Street and will pay tribute to actress Scarlett Johansson and Artistic Director Donatella Versace for their longstanding support of amfAR and the fight against AIDS. The black-tie gala will be presented by Harry Winston.
Hosted by actor, writer, and director Lena Dunham, amfAR’s New York Gala, now in its 19th year, will feature dinner, a live auction, honoree tributes, and a special musical performance by Grammy-nominated British pop sensation Ellie Goulding.
Event Chairs include Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, Harry Belafonte, Steve Buscemi and Jo Andres, Naomi Campbell, Jonathan Canno and Pierce Canno Roberts, Alan Cumming, Patrick Demarchelier, Lady Gaga, Nina Garcia, Nayla Hayek, Iman, Elton John and David Furnish, Heidi Klum, Vasily Klyukin, Mathilde Krim, Ph.D., David and Lauren Bush Lauren, Cindi Leive, Howard and Cindy Rachofsky, Vincent Roberti, Carine Roitfeld, Riccardo Silva, Stefano Tonchi, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, and amfAR Chairman of the Board Kenneth Cole. Co-Chairs include Alessandra Ambrosio, Arlen and Michele Andelson, Donald Capoccia, Maggio Cipriani, Jim Clerkin, Steven and Alexandra Cohen, Toni Garnn, Terry Lundgren, Kevin S. McClatchy and Jack Basilone, John and Stephanie Roberts, and Paolo Rotelli.
The amfAR New York Gala is one of New York City’s most successful and high-profile AIDS benefits. Previous honorees include President Bill Clinton, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Kenneth Cole, Diane von Furstenberg, Yves Carcelle, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Clive Davis, Richard Gere, Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks, Janet Jackson, Quincy Jones, Donna Karan, Heidi Klum, Harvey Weinstein, Lorne Michaels, Liza Minnelli, Rosie O’Donnell, Natasha Richardson, Carine Roitfeld, Caroline Scheufele, Julian Schnabel, Sharon Stone, Barbara Walters, Robin Williams, and Anna Wintour.
Harry Winston is the Presenting Sponsor. The event’s Signature Sponsor is Moët Hennessy. Mandarin Oriental, New York is the Associate Sponsor. Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of amfAR.
The amfAR New York Gala is produced by Andrew Boose/AAB Productions.
CREDENTIAL REQUESTS:
Send to Caroline Humphrey at caroline.humphrey@amfar.org. Please include your contact information, details of your coverage plans, and number of credentials being requested.
For ticket/table inquiries, please contact Christina Christofi at amfarnewyorkgala@amfar.org.
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 $450 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.