FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Sr. Director of Communications: 212-806-1607; bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Natalie Marquis, Media Relations Manager: 212-806-1694; natalie.marquis@amfar.org
amfAR to Honor HRH CROWN PRINCESS METTE-MARIT OF NORWAY, HBO, and CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION at 5TH INSPIRATION GALA in NEW YORK
PRESENTED BY M·A·C VIVA GLAM
JOSH DUHAMEL TO HOST
NEW ORDER TO PERFORM
EVENT TO FEATURE MENSWEAR RUNWAY SHOW
New York, NY, May 8, 2014—On June 10th, 2014, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, will honor steadfast AIDS activist HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway, and two companies that have made a profound impact on the state of AIDS research: HBO and Calvin Klein Collection. Each will receive the prestigious Award of Inspiration at the Foundation’s 5th annual Inspiration Gala, presented by M·A·C Viva Glam and held at the Plaza in New York City. Designers Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli will accept the award on behalf of Calvin Klein Collection, and President of Programming Michael Lombardo will accept on behalf of HBO. Longtime amfAR supporter Sarah Jessica Parker will be on hand to present Lombardo with the award. Actor Josh Duhamel will serve as the event’s host.
Chairs of the event include Matt Bomer, Thom Browne, Andy Cohen, Alan Cumming, Robert De Niro, John Demsey, Laura Dern, Simon Doonan, James Franco, Cheyenne Jackson, André Leon Talley, Jennifer Lopez, Thakoon Panichgul, Jim Parsons, and Patrick Wilson.
The Inspiration Gala will feature a rare intimate performance by legendary, influential British rock band New Order, who have enjoyed enduring critical acclaim and sold out myriad stadiums over their more than three decades-long career. The black-tie benefit will also feature a gala dinner, a live auction of luxury goods, and a full-scale menswear runway show, held in the Plaza’s historic Palm Court. Proceeds from the event will benefit amfAR’s life-saving AIDS research programs.
The Inspiration event series, produced by Josh Wood Productions, celebrates all aspects of men’s style and revolves around a new design theme each year. This year, the world’s top menswear designers will offer custom-made looks for the runway show featuring the theme of prints. Participating designers include 3.1 Phillip Lim, Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein Collection, Christopher Kane, CoSTUME NATIONAL, Diesel Black Gold, Dior Homme, DKNY, Dries Van Noten, Duckie Brown, Etro, Fendi, Hood By Air, Issey Miyake, Jean Paul Gaultier, Jil Sander, Jonathan Saunders, Kenneth Cole, Kenzo, Kris Van Assche, Lanvin, Lucio Castro, Marc By Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, McQ By Alexander McQueen, Michael Bastian, Michael Kors, Missoni, Moncler Gamme Bleu, Moschino, Opening Ceremony, Phillip Treacy, Ports 1961, Raf Simons, Rag & Bone, Ralph Lauren, Richard Chai, Rick Owens, Robert Geller, Rodrigo Otazu, Salvatore Ferragamo, Shipley & Halmos, Thom Browne, Tim Hamilton, Todd Snyder, Versace, and Viktor & Rolf. Trew Productions will be responsible for the runway production and casting. The runway looks will be styled by William Graper. Makeup will be provided by M·A·C Cosmetics, and hair styling will be provided by L’Oréal/Hairdressers Against AIDS. Fashion show music will be provided by Javier Peral.
Since its launch in 2010, the Inspiration series has raised $15 million for amfAR, and has been held in such cities as Los Angeles, São Paulo, Paris, Toronto, and Miami. Inspiration events have seen performances from such legendary artists as Katy Perry, Mary J. Blige, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, Jennifer Hudson, Scissor Sisters, Cyndi Lauper, Courtney Love, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Sinead O’Connor. Recipients of the event series’ Award of Inspiration have included Jennifer Lopez, Alan Cumming, Valentino Garavani, James Franco, Kevin Huvane, Francisco Costa, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Fergie, Michael Kors, Ricky Martin, and Robert Duffy/Marc Jacobs International.
Microsoft is the event’s Official Technology Partner. Calvin Klein Collection is the event’s Gold Sponsor and HBO is the Silver Sponsor. The Plaza is the event’s Hotel Sponsor. Gloria Ferrer is the Wine and Champagne Sponsor. 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 $388 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 3,300 research teams worldwide. www.amfar.org
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.
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. Follow M·A·C on Twitter @MACcosmetics (twitter.com/maccosmetics), become a M·A·C fan on Facebook (facebook.com/maccosmetics), watch M·A·C videos on YouTube and find our M·A·C Senior Artists at macartiststweets.com. For a M·A·C location visit maccosmetics.com.