FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Sr. Director of Communications: Bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Natalie Jacobs, Media Relations Associate- Natalie.marquis@amfar.org
JENNIFER LOPEZ, ALAN CUMMING, AND VALENTINO HONORED AT amfAR’S 4TH INSPIRATION GALA NEW YORK
NEARLY $1 MILLION RAISED FOR AIDS RESEARCH
EVENT PRESENTED BY M·A·C VIVA GLAM
New York, NY, June 14, 2013—amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, Jennifer Lopez, Alan Cumming, Liza Minnelli, Uma Thurman, Iman, and Carly Rae Jepsen were among those who gathered at the Plaza last night to support amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, at the fourth annual Inspiration Gala New York. Ms. Lopez and Mr. Cumming were honored at the black tie gala, along with Valentino Garavani, all for their exceptional humanitarian work and commitment to the fight against AIDS.
Ms. Lopez, the actress, singer, designer and philanthropist, was presented with amfAR’s Humanitarian Award by André Leon Talley, in recognition of her contributions to multiple humanitarian causes including Amnesty International, Children’s Health Fund, City of Hope, March of Dimes, the GRAMMY Foundation and her work with her own Lopez Family Foundation. Ms. Lopez’s longtime friend Ricky Martin also sent a congratulatory video message. Upon receiving her award, Lopez said, “I was so inspired by the news that the first child had been cured of AIDS. That’s an amazing step, and I know that with amfAR’s help, researchers can soon find a way to deliver a cure to the 300,000 children who so desperately need it.”
amfAR Ambassador Liza Minnelli, a longtime dedicated supporter of the Foundation, presented her friend Alan Cumming with amfAR’s Award of Courage. Mr. Cumming has actively supported amfAR’s lifesaving AIDS research programs for more than a decade, hosting and performing at countless fundraising events for amfAR, and he has been one of the leading voices tirelessly speaking out on behalf of people living with AIDS.
Iman accepted the amfAR Award of Inspiration on behalf of Valentino, praising his impeccable sense of style, as well as his commitment to raising funds to combat AIDS throughout his career. She said, “Valentino is kind, passionate, and generous, qualities that have laid the groundwork for his lifetime commitment to fashion, the arts, and the reason we are here tonight, the fight against AIDS.”
A highlight of the Inspiration Gala was an energetic performance by multi-platinum, Grammy nominated pop sensation Carly Rae Jepsen. The entire crowd danced under a shower of confetti to the Canadian singer/songwriter’s hits “Tonight I’m Getting Over You” and “Call Me Maybe.”
Uma Thurman opened the event’s program and introduced amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole, who spoke about the great strides that have been made towards curing AIDS just within the past year, through amfAR’s work.
The men’s style event, produced by Josh Wood Productions, featured a runway show, thematically styled with camouflage and military tailoring, featuring looks donated by the world’s leading menswear designers, including Carolina Amato, Ted Baker, Band of Outsiders, John Bartlett, Michael Bastian, The Blonds, Hugo Boss, Thom Browne, Richard Chai, Kenneth Cole, The Elder Statesman, Patrick Ervell, Asaf Ganot, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Michael Hockey, Iceberg, Isaia, Marc Jacobs, Robert James, Kenzo, Calvin Klein Collection, Michael Kors, Lanvin, Ralph Lauren, Asher Levine, Moo Shoes, Noir, Rodrigo Otazu, Rick Owens, Alexandre Plokhov, Billy Reid, Sand, Shipley & Halmos, Skingraft, Social Primer, John Varvatos, Ian Velardi, Bottega Veneta, and Y-3.
The event also featured live and silent auctions. In a highlight of the live auction, Jennifer Lopez created an impromptu lot by offering a chance to accompany her when she receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, as well as a red carpet date with her any time in the next year. Delta Air Lines generously offered to fly the winning bidder first class to wherever the date takes place. A bidding war broke out among the crowd, and once two bidders got to $90,000, Ms. Lopez offered to double the package, raising a total of $180,000.
The Inspiration Gala was chaired by Michael Bastian, Dan and Dean Caten, Maria Grazia Chiuri, John Demsey, Nina Garcia, Giancarlo Giametti, Peter Paulo Piccioli, Carlos Souza, Thakoon, and Rebecca Wang. Notable attendees at the Gala included Gabourey Sidibe, Eniko Mihalik, Lindsey Wixson, Candice Swanepoel, Dree Hemingway, Leigh Lezark, Ana Beatriz Barros, Izabel Goulart, Carolyn Murphy, Olivier Theyskens, and Richard Chai, among many others.
Inspiration events have raised more than $10 million to date for amfAR, and have also been held in Los Angeles, São Paulo, and Miami. The series has seen performances by such legendary artists as Katy Perry, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, Jennifer Hudson, Scissor Sisters, Cyndi Lauper, Courtney Love, and Sinéad O’Connor. Past recipients of the Award of Inspiration have included James Franco, Kevin Huvane, Francisco Costa, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Fergie, Michael Kors, Ricky Martin, and Robert Duffy/Marc Jacobs International.
The Inspiration Gala was presented by M·A·C Viva Glam. Microsoft was the Official Technology Partner. Luxury Beverages were provided by Ketel One Vodka. The Plaza was the Hotel Sponsor. Time & Place is a proud luxury vacation home rental provider for the amfAR Inspiration series. 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 $366 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 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 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.