Joan Smalls, Candice Swanepoel, Maria Borges, Jasmine Sanders, Carine Roitfeld, and Toni Garrn were among those who joined the Italian fashion community in Milan last week to honor Federico Marchetti and to help raise funds for amfAR's innovative AIDS research programs.
The eleventh annual amfAR Gala Milano was held at the Palazzo Mezzanotte in conjunction with Milan Fashion Week and raised over $1.3 million for the Foundation.
Toni Garrn opened the evening by welcoming guests and introducing amfAR’s Vice President of Development, Eric Muscatell. Muscatell thanked sponsors and the fashion industry for their longtime partnership in Milan, reminding them that their support funds “medical research that is improving and extending the lives of millions of people living with HIV” and progresses amfAR’s ultimate goal of finding a cure for AIDS.
Carine Roitfeld took the stage to present Federico Marchetti with the amfAR Award of Courage, recognizing “his profound commitment to important issues” and his ability as “an extraordinarily talented and innovative businessman.” In Marchetti’s acceptance speech, he described courage as “following beliefs against the odds,” and reminded guests that amfAR’s goal to end AIDS “once seemed impossible, but every day seems more and more achievable.”
Additional guests included Adesuwa Aighewi, Nieves Alvarez, Gilda Ambrosio, Alina Baikova, Afiya Bennet, Chloe Bennett, Giulio Berruti, Mandy Bork, Anna Cleveland, Caroline Daur, Selby Drummond, G-Eazy, David Alexander Flinn, Marianne Fonseca, Gala Gonzalez, Ann-Kathrin Götze, Kat Graham, Leonie Hanne, Jessica Hart, Maya Henry, Johannes Huebl, Jessica Kahawaty, Kōki, Jon Kortajarena, Birgit Kos, Shizuka Kudo, Alessio Lapice, Flaviana Matata, Elena Matei, Noah Mills, Tamu McPherson, Mia Moretti, Hikari Mori, Lottie Moss, Nataly Osmann, Olivia Palermo, Soo Joo Park, Alvaro Rico, Babba C. Rivera, Remo Ruffini, Chiara Sampaio, Sabrina Sato, Carlo Sestini, Lucky Blue Smith, Kitty Spencer, Dylan Sprouse, Sebastian Stan, Elizabeth Sulcer, Giorgia Tordini, James Turlington, Ellen Von Unwerth, Yasmin Wijnaldum, Lilly de Wittgenstein, and Anok Yai.
The evening’s live auction, led by event producer Andy Boose, featured an array of lots including:
A photograph of Cindy Crawford and k.d. Lang by Herb Ritts
A set of BVLGARI jewelry, featuring white gold and diamond Divas’ Dream earrings and a white gold, diamond, and emerald Divissima necklace, introduced by Lady Kitty Spencer
A sailing experience on the state-of-the-art Maserati Multi 70 trimaran hosted by leading menswear designer Ermenegildo Zegna and famous skipper Giovanni Soldini
An exclusive ten-day adventure to Easter Island and Patagonia guided by Johan Ernst Nilson
Lottie Moss introduced an Ortaea MAJI cuff bangle set in 18-karat white gold with 8.49 carats of round oval and pear diamonds
A Terry O’Neill photograph of Elton john performing at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in 1975
Jasmine Sanders presented an exclusive NET-A-PORTER package including lifetime membership in the Extremely Important Person program complimented by a trip to Paris Fashion Week
A photographic print of the iconic Queen album cover by legendary rock photographer Mick Rock
Stamped, an acrylic work on canvas by Stephen Felton
Anger Smiles, a charcoal, acrylic, and matte media work on raw canvas by Connor Tingley
The evening concluded with an incredible performance by international artist Rita Ora, who had the audience on their feet and ready for the after-party at MiB Milano with hits such as “Let You Love Me,” Lonely Together," and “Anywhere.” Guests also enjoyed entertainment by British band The Mike Flowers Pops, and music by DJ Johnny Dynell and DJ Mia Moretti.
Throughout the years, the Italian fashion community has been exemplary in its support of amfAR, with fashion houses and designers underwriting and leading many of the Foundation’s most successful fundraising efforts. Since amfAR’s first international benefit, held in 1993 during the Cannes Film Festival and hosted by amfAR Founding International Chairman Dame Elizabeth Taylor, the Foundation’s international galas in Milan, New York, Cannes, Venice, Rome, and beyond have become some of the most high-profile and eagerly anticipated charity events in the world and have helped raise millions for critical AIDS research programs.
Pernod Ricard was the event’s Signature Partner, featuring Perrier-Jouët Champagne and Absolut Elyx. Wines generously provided by Boroli. Guests enjoyed Lauretana Mineral Water.
The amfAR Gala Milano is produced by Andy Boose/AAB Productions.
