Fashion made waves at the Amfar Gala, raising $17 million for AIDS research

Every year, Carine Roitfeld stages her fashion show during the amfAR Gala in Cannes, creating a buzz around the star-studded event. Held on Thursday night at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roque in Antibes, it brought together celebrities and philanthropists to raise $17 million to aid research.

Opening the show was the famous singer Gladys Knight, who in Her 1960s hit was “Midnight Train to Georgia.” The evening’s host, Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated artist, actress, producer, label president, author and entrepreneur Queen Latifah, told how amfAR, started by Queen Latifah, has raised more than a quarter of a million dollars to aid research. She also talked about Roitfeld’s fashion influence in the industry. “We can and will make a difference in the AIDS epidemic,” said Queen Latifah.

A host of celebrity guests attended the gala, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Orlando Bloom, Rebel Wilson, James Marsden, Odell Beckham, Jr., Jeremy Scott, Halimah Aden, Laquan Smith, Maye Musk and Kate Beckinsale. Many famous names were present. Also at the gala were amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR Global Fundraising Chair Milutin Gatsby, and amfAR Board Co-Chairs T. Ryan Greenwalt and Kevin McClatch.

The first item up for auction was a series of photographs by fashion photographer Ellen von Wunwerth. A selection of photos includes fashion models Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Elle McPherson, Christy Turlington, Naja Auerman and more. The collection sold for $270,000.

Chopard’s pearl-shaped diamond earrings started at $53.8K and sold for $296.1K. The earrings were conceived by Caroline Schuffele, co-president of the haute jewelery and Swiss brand.

Roitfeld is celebrated for her fashion work. Presenting her show were model Ashley Graham and Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott. Bringing together eighteen brands including Alia, Armani, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Off-White, Richard Quinn, Tom Ford, Valentino, Dior, Vivienne Westwood and Versace were some of the designers who participated in the event.

An innovation from Pierpaolo Piccioli’s AW22 pink collection from Valentino was included. Jessica Stam walked in a creation for Prada, actress Alessandra Ambrosio also walked in the show, and Helena Christensen sported a Dior wedding dress. Other models who walked in the show included Natasha Plea, Caroline Trentini, Isabelle Fontana, Guinevere Van Senus, Alec Wake and Jordan Dunn. Bidding started at $107.6k, with the highest bidder getting to go on stage and take a photo with all eighteen models. All units in the collection sold for $646k.

Artist Anthony James created an art sculpture that was on Netflix. Glass Onion: Knife SecretStarring Daniel Craig and Kate Hudson. James was born in London but is based in LA, and is known for his minimalism, transcendentalism and light space art pieces. In addition to the statue, which sold for $269.2 thousand at the gala, he and his wife Yanana Deviera attended the gala with their heart-stealing 6-month-old son.

Adam Lambert took the stage to sing “Who Wants to Live Forever” to the late Tina Turner. And, eleven-year-old artist Andreas Valencia painted an oil pastel and acrylic painting, titled; Cowboy On cotton canvas sold for $215.3k.

Aston Martin was the event sponsor. Actresses Eva Longoria and James Marsden have introduced the luxury car brand’s DB12 Starter Edition, which retails for $16.1K. And a Damien Hirst portrait of DiCaprio signed by the artist and actor sold for $1.28K.

Other sponsors Chopard, MAC Cosmetics, Revolve + Fwrd, The h.wood Group, Gérard Bertrand, RUMOR Rosé, Clase Azul, Guillotine Vodka, CAP Gin, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne sponsored the amfAR afterparty.

The night ended with Halsey performing four songs, bringing guests to their feet, and that capped off a celebrity-filled night.

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