AmfAR Gala raises $17M for AIDS research with fashion.

Every year Carine Roitfeld curates her fashion show during the amfAR Gala in Cannes, creating a buzz of excitement around the star-studded event. Held at Hôtel du Cap, Eden Roc in Antibes on Thursday night, it brought together celebrity and philanthropy, raising $17 million for AIDS research.

Opening the show was iconic singer Gladys Knight, who sang her 1960s hit “Midnight Train to Georgia.” The night’s host, Grammy Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated artist, actress, producer, label president, author, and entrepreneur Queen Latifah, began by speaking about how amfAR has raised over a quarter of a million dollars to aid AIDS research. She also spoke on Roitfeld’s fashion influence in the industry. “We can and we will make a difference in the AIDS epidemic,” said Queen Latifah.

A number of renowned guests attended the gala, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Orlando Bloom, Rebel Wilson, James Marsden, Odell Beckham Jr., Jeremy Scott, Halima Aden, LaQuan Smith, Maye Musk, and Kate Beckinsale. Also at the gala were amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, amfAR Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby, and amfAR Board Co-Chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy.

The first item up for auction was a series of photographs by fashion photographer Ellen Von Unwerth. The selection of photos included fashion models Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Elle McPherson, Christy Turlington, Nadja Auermann, and more. The set sold for $270K.

The Chopard pear-shaped diamond earrings began at the bidding price of $53.8K and sold for $296.1k. The earrings were envisioned by Haute Joallerie and co-President of the Swiss brand, Caroline Scheufele.

Roitfeld was honored for her fashion curations. Introducing her show was model Ashley Graham and Moschino creative director, Jeremy Scott. Whipping together eighteen brands including Alaïa, Armani, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Off-White, Richard Quinn, Tom Ford, Valentino, Dior, Vivienne Westwood, and Versace, some of the designers who participated in the show.

A creation from Pierpaolo Piccioli’s AW22 pink collection was included from Valentino. Jessica Stam walked in a creation for Prada, actress Alessandra Ambrosio walked in the show as well, and Helena Christensen was sporting a Dior wedding gown. Some of the other models walking in the show were Natasha Ply, Caroline Trentini, Isabeli Fontana, Guinevere Van Seenus, Alek Wek, and Jourdan Dunn. Bidding started at $107.6k, with the offer of the top bidder being able to go on stage and take a photo with all eighteen models. All the pieces in the collection sold for $646k.

Artist Anthony James created an art sculpture that was in Netflix’s, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, starring Daniel Craig and Kate Hudson. James is London born but LA-based and is known for his Minimalism, Transcendentalism, and Light Space art pieces. In addition to his sculpture that sold for $269.2k at the Gala, he and his wife Janaina Devieiera attended the gala with their 6-month year old son who stole hearts.

Adam Lambert took to the stage, dedicating the song, “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, The Cowboy on cotton canvas that sold for $215.3k.

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

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

The evening ended with Halsy performing four songs, bringing guests to their feet, and that rounded out the celebrity-filled evening.