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
amfAR RAISES MORE THAN $2.3 MILLION FOR AIDS RESEARCH AT ANNUAL NEW YORK GALA
Sponsored by M·A·C Viva Glam
KENNETH COLE, JANET JACKSON, and HEIDI KLUM honored
Event features performances by CeeLo Green, Alan Cumming and Santigold
Mayor Michael Bloomberg cuts ribbon to officially open Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week
New York, NY, February 7, 2013—amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, Janet Jackson, Heidi Klum, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Michael Kors, Sarah Jessica Parker, CeeLo Green, Santigold, Alan Cumming, John Legend, Andy Cohen, Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, Carine Roitfeld, John Demsey, Donna Karan, Karlie Kloss, Doutzen Kroes, Lily Donaldson, Katharine McPhee, Ashley Greene, Cuba Gooding Jr., John Leguizamo, Jenna Elfman, and Chloë Sevigny were among those who came out to Cipriani Wall Street last night to support amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research at its annual New York Gala. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Kenneth Cole, Michael Kors and Heidi Klum cut the ribbon to officially kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the event, marking the start of the Fall 2013 Collections. More than $2.3 million was raised at the gala for amfAR’s life-saving AIDS research initiatives.
The event honored three extraordinary individuals for their exceptional contributions to the global struggle against HIV/AIDS: Chairman of the Board of amfAR, designer Kenneth Cole who has worked tirelessly for amfAR and the cause for over 27 years, legendary performer and amfAR Ambassador Janet Jackson, and supermodel Heidi Klum. Governor Andrew Cuomo presented Kenneth Cole with his award. Designer Michael Kors presented to supermodel Heidi Klum. Maria Davis, an HIV-positive fan of Janet Jackson’s who has benefitted from amfAR’s work, presented to Ms. Jackson.
The black tie benefit featured opening remarks by Sarah Jessica Parker, special performances by Grammy-winning recording artist CeeLo Green and critically acclaimed singer Santigold, and a surprise musical performance by TV, film, and Broadway star Alan Cumming. Featured in the evening’s live auction was an evening clutch designed by Kenneth Cole and Sarah Jessica Parker, with an engraved clasp that reads “we are all potential carriers.” Sarah Jessica added a personal lunch with the winning bidder to the package, and it sold twice for $40,000 each. A Christopher Makos photograph of Liza Minnelli and John Lennon sold for $45,000. In a highlight of the auction, guests contributed to a new fund created in Kenneth Cole’s name, the Kenneth Cole Countdown to the Cure Fund, raising a total of $255,000. Guests who contributed $10,000 or more to the fund each took home a limited-edition Robert Rauschenberg print.
Mr. Cole’s contributions to amfAR and the fight against AIDS are innumerable. He has served on amfAR’s Board of Trustees for more than 25 years, becoming chairman in 2004. Mr. Cole was one of the first public figures to speak out about the issue of AIDS, and through his company, Kenneth Cole Productions, he has created powerful public awareness campaigns to combat HIV-related stigma and complacency about the AIDS epidemic. Janet Jackson has been involved with amfAR for the past 15 years. In 1997 she donated all the proceeds from her hit single “Together Again” to the Foundation, and as an amfAR Ambassador, she has chaired many of amfAR’s most important benefit events, using her visibility as a musical icon to help improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS around the globe. Ms. Klum has also been a longtime friend of amfAR, chairing countless fundraisers for the Foundation, as well as volunteering her time to many other AIDS charities, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation and God’s Love We Deliver.
Chairs of the event included Kevin Huvane, Sarah Jessica Parker, Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn, Harry Belafonte, David Bowie and Iman, Kim Cattrall, Andy Cohen, Maria Cuomo Cole, Neil Cole, John Demsey, Martin Franklin, Anne Fulenwider, Nina Garcia, Milutin Gatsby, Whoopi Goldberg, Tommy & Dee Hilfiger, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, Donna Karan, Dr. Mathilde Krim, David Lauren and Lauren Bush Lauren, Cindi Leive, Terry J. Lundgren, Steve Madden, Liza Minnelli, Vincent Roberti, Carine Roitfeld, Andrew Rosen, Lorraine Schwartz, Diana Taylor, Stanley Tucci, and Edward Walson.
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 nearly $13 million in support of amfAR’s programs. Previous honorees include President Bill Clinton, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Roberto Cavalli, Caroline Scheufele, 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.
The evening’s signature sponsor was M·A·C Viva Glam. FIJI Water was the event’s official water sponsor. Delta Air Lines is the official airline of amfAR. The amfAR New York Gala was produced by Andy Boose/AAB Productions.
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 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 a 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.