Sandra Bullock, Sinead O'Connor, Deborah Harry, Andy Cohen Gather in LA to Help Raise Nearly $500,000 for amfAR
2nd Annual Inspiration Gala Los Angeles is sponsored by Piaget, Hugo Boss, Audi, HBO, Delta Air Lines, Grey Goose, and Wilhelmina Models
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
amfAR Media Contacts:
Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director of Communications: (212) 806-1607; bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Natalie Marquis, Media Relations Associate: (212) 806-1694; natalie.marquis@amfar.org
Los Angeles, CA, October 28, 2011—Sandra Bullock, Sinéad O’Connor, Deborah Harry, Andy Cohen, Sean Penn, Colin Farrell, Josh Duhamel, Rose McGowan, Estelle, Anthony Mackie, Ryan Kwanten, and Selma Blair were among the many Hollywood luminaries who joined Honorary Chair Kevin Huvane, Event Chairs Larry Boland and Patricia Quick, and amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost at the Chateau Marmont last night in support of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. The Foundation’s second annual Inspiration Gala Los Angeles, produced by Josh Wood Productions, celebrated men’s style and featured fashion presentations by Hugo Boss, Fendi, and Thierry Mugler inspired by the design theme of “Black Tie//Hot Metal.”
Sandra Bullock presented a poignant and heartfelt tribute to amfAR’s late Founding International Chairman, Dame Elizabeth Taylor. amfAR had planned to present Dame Elizabeth with the Award of Courage at an event in New York in February 2011, but she was not well enough to accept it. Ms. Bullock presented the award to Dame Elizabeth’s grandson Quinn Tivey, who accepted it on behalf of the Taylor family. Of Dame Elizabeth’s legacy in the fight against AIDS, Ms. Bullock stated, “She never thought twice when she reached out to touch and hold the hand of an AIDS patient. She never thought twice to put her arm around someone who was suffering. That is the gift we have as human beings…the ability to reach out and touch. A simple gesture that gives the world of support to its receiver.”
Andy Cohen hosted the gala, which also featured performances by a pair of legendary musicians: Deborah Harry and Sinéad O’Connor. Deborah Harry kicked off the evening with classic Blondie hits “One Way or Another” and “Heart of Glass.” Sinéad O’Connor gave passionate renditions of “The Last Day of Our Acquaintance” and her immortal hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which she dedicated to the family of Dame Elizabeth Taylor.
The event’s live auction was led by Andrea Fiuczynski of Christie’s, and featured pieces by artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, and Damien Hirst.
The Gala was sponsored by Piaget, Hugo Boss, Audi, HBO, Grey Goose, model sponsor Wilhelmina Models, and live auction sponsor Delta Air Lines. Vice Chairs of the event were Mohammed Al Turki, Greg Berlanti, David Bohnett and Tom Gregory, Stephen Huvane, Dan Jinks, Ryan Murphy, Sean Patterson, Alan Poul, Rich Ross, and Tom Whitman. Host Committee members were Joseph Abboud, Christos Garkinos, Kenneth Gillett and Ron Maassen.
Guests enjoyed specially crafted Grey Goose cocktails throughout the night. DJ Derek Monteiro spun during cocktail hour around Chateau Marmont’s pool, while Wilhelmina’s top male models took part in Hugo Boss, Fendi, and Thierry Mugler fashion presentations, styled by Nicolas Bru. Fashion presentation accessories were provided by The Stockroom, Rodrigo Otazu, and Rufskin.
Inspiration Los Angeles was the sixth event in the Inspiration series; other events have taken place in Paris, New York and Sao Paulo. Designers who have donated “Black Tie//Hot Metal”–inspired looks for the Inspiration series’ fashion presentations and auction include: Atelier, Band of Outsiders, Neil Barrett, John Bartlett, Michael Bastian, Bess, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein Collection, Thom Browne, Richard Chai, Kenneth Cole, Dolce & Gabbana, DSquared², Tom Ford, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Robert Geller, Tim Hamilton, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Rick Owens, Prada, Trussardi, Viktor & Rolf, Y3, and Yves Saint Laurent.
amfAR recognizes Delta Air Lines for its commitment to the fight against AIDS and its generous support of amfAR’s mission.
HP is the official technology supplier 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 nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.
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.