FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

amfAR Media Contacts:

Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director of Communications, (212) 806-1607 or bennah.serfaty@amfar.org

Tatiana Carvalho/Tania Otranto, MKTMIX,  +55 (11) 3060-3641 or totranto@mktmix.com.br 

CHER, FELIPE DINIZ and JEAN PAUL GAULTIER HONORED AT FIFTH ANNUAL INSPIRATION GALA SÃO PAULO

Presented by HARRY WINSTON

NAOMI CAMPBELL, KATE MOSS, RICCARDO TISCI AND OTHERS HELP RAISE $1.8 MILLION FOR amfAR 

Special Performances by KYLIE MINOGUE and ALCIONE 

São Paulo, Brazil, April 11, 2015— Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Riccardo Tisci, Kylie Minogue, Alcione, Sabrina Sato, Juliana Paes, Lazaro Ramos, Izabel Goulart, Deborah Secco, Fernanda Motta, and Thais Araujo were among those who gathered at the fifth annual Inspiration Gala São Paulo last night to pay tribute to Cher, Felipe Diniz and Jean Paul Gaultier. The event, presented by Harry Winston and held at the home of Honorary Chair Dinho Diniz, raised $1.8 million for amfAR’s life-saving AIDS research programs. Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, and amfAR Chairman of the Board Kenneth Cole served as Event Chairs.  

The event honored Felipe Diniz, who has been instrumental to the success of amfAR’s Inspiration series in Brazil since its inception; Jean Paul Gaultier, an amfAR supporter and leader in the fight against AIDS for decades; and the one and only Cher, the Academy Award-winning actress, singer, entertainer, humanitarian, and longtime LGBT rights advocate.  

The program began with an explosive performance by Grammy Award-winning pop superstar and longtime amfAR supporter, Kylie Minogue. Opening the show with popular hits such as the 2001 global sensation “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” and “Get Outta My Way,” Minogue had the room on its feet and singing along within minutes.  

Naomi Campbell, co-host of the event, was thrilled to present the amfAR Lifetime Achievement Award to her good friend Jean Paul Gaultier. Gaultier has been an active and generous supporter of amfAR and the fight against AIDS for decades. His Jean Paul Gaultier Charity Fashion Show in the early 1990s, chaired by Madonna and Herb Ritts, raised $700,000 for amfAR, and in 2014, he collaborated with amfAR to design and produce a special summer tote bag, which raised thousands for the Foundation.  

The events producer Josh Wood then presented the amfAR Award of Inspiration to Felipe Diniz, who has helped turn the amfAR Inspiration Gala São Paulo into a highly successful benefit event that has raised $8.5 million for AIDS research and services to date. In his remarks, Diniz stressed the importance of acceptance of all people in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Brazil. At his urging, a portion of the proceeds from each São Paulo gala goes to an AIDS organization in Brazil. This year’s event will support HIV prevention research at the Evandro Chagas Institute in Rio de Janeiro.    

amfAR CEO Kevin Frost spoke passionately about amfAR’s Countdown to a Cure for AIDS initiative, with the goal of  developing  the scientific basis of a cure by 2020. Announcing a $100 million cure research investment strategy, Frost stressed that “amfAR has the will, the commitment, and the know-how to get this done, and to truly make AIDS history.”  

Frost then presented the amfAR Award of Inspiration to Cher. Speaking of her willingness and ability to use her fame for the greater good, Frost described her as one of the great champions in the fight against AIDS. Cher received a standing ovation and encouraged the audience to “help bring an end to this terrible disease” before bringing fellow honoree Jean Paul Gaultier on stage for a kiss.  

The evening’s live auction featured an array of luxury items. In an exceptional display of generosity, the auction opened with a $100,000 donation by Felipe Diniz for the Jean Paul Gaultier dress that was being worn at the event by his brother Dinho’s girlfriend, Danielle Pontes. The first auction lot, a signed 1962 Bert Stern photograph of amfAR co-founder Dame Elizabeth Taylor dressed as Cleopatra for Vogue along with tickets to upcoming amfAR Inspiration Galas in New York and Los Angeles, raised $55,000.  

The ultimate Victoria’s Secret package included two tickets to the 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show and VIP after-party, an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour and photo with a Victoria’s Secret Angel, and round-trip airfare provided by Delta Air Lines. The lot was won by two bidders for $50,000 each. The highest selling auction lot  was a signed Nina Pandolfo artwork titled Maior que a Imensidao da Paz. Pandolfo, who was in the audience, is one of Brazil’s leading artists and one of the most creative contemporary artists working today, and her beautiful work sold for $80,000.  

To close out the official program, one of Brazil’s greatest ever “sambistas,” Alcione, gave an electrifying performance.  Alcione, who has had five platinum and double platinum and 19 gold records, kept the room dancing late into the night.   

The Inspiration Gala São Paulo’s Platinum Sponsors included Iguatemi São Paulo, Karavelle and MoëtHennessy. Sky was a Silver Sponsor. Fasano was a Bronze Sponsor. Mercedes-Benz was the Luxury Vehicle Partner. Microsoft is amfAR’s official technology partner. Delta Air Lines is the official airline of amfAR. Harry Winston is the official jewelry and timepiece partner of amfAR. MoëtHennessy is the official wine and spirits partner of amfAR.    

The Inspiration series was launched in 2010 by amfAR and Josh Wood Productions to celebrate men’s style and fashion while raising funds for the Foundation’s lifesaving AIDS research programs. Inspiration galas have taken place in New York, Paris, Los Angeles, Toronto, Miami,and Rio de Janeiro, raising more than $20 million to date.

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 the Harry Winston Brilliant Futures Charitable Program:

Supporting local communities and giving hope to those in need is a longstanding House tradition that began with our founder, Mr. Harry Winston. From 1949-1953, Mr. Winston organized an exhibition known as “The Court of Jewels” – a magnificent traveling collection featuring his most impressive and historic gems – which toured key cities across America raising money for local charitable causes.

Today, we continue this legacy of giving through The Harry Winston Brilliant Futures™  Charitable Program. Within this program, the company is proud to support organizations in our local salon communities that strive to give young people access to a quality education and the skills necessary to be successful in life and enable healthy futures.

About Mercedes-Benz do Brasil:  

Mercedes-Benz is the biggest truck and bus manufacturer in South America, being in Brazil since 1956, the year in which the production in São Bernardo do Campo plant began. Since then, over two million commercial vehicles have left its production lines into the roads of Brazil and also of more than 50 countries to where the Company exports its products.  

The Unit is responsible for the development of every powertrain and axel which equip its models. With commercial vehicle plants in São Bernardo do Campo (SP) and Juiz de Fora (MG), as well as an After Sales division in Campinas (SP), the Company currently has around 12,000 employees.   

Its vast experience in local production, fast growing dealer network and solid participation in the Brazilian market were pivotal to the decision of opening a passenger car plant in the Country, which will start its operations in early 2016. The Company, a reference in the premium passenger car market, has been continuously conquering the Brazilian customer with a great deal of launches and massive investment in technology and innovation.

During its history in Brazil, Mercedes-Benz has consistently expanded its operations, always investing in technology, in order to exceed the expectations of the public through high quality products and services. The Company also believes and invests in social development. Proof of its commitment to socially responsible projects are the programs it undertakes to promote education, sports, protect the environment, stimulate culture, develop sciences and ensure health and social well-being.

About Josh Wood Productions:

Josh Wood Productions has produced and promoted socially conscious events and concerts featuring artists such as Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, Ricky Gervais, Norah Jones, Kylie Minogue, Lou Reed, Scissors Sisters, Michael Stipe, and the Pet Shop Boys. Their events have raised money and awareness for Downtown for Democracy, The Guggenheim Foundation, Empire State Pride Agenda, Friends of Hillary, Friends of the Highline, Hetrik Martin Institute, MoveOn, Obama for America, Oxfam, Rock the Vote, The Royal Shakespeare Company and Veterans for Peace. Josh Wood Productions’ latest project, “The Inspiration Gala Series: A Celebration of Men’s Style,”  is an international fashion gala fundraiser benefiting amfAR.  For more information please visit www.joshwoodproductions.com.