CANNES, France (Reuters) – From Cher to Tommy Hilfiger, the fashion and entertainment industry’s biggest names decamped to Antibes for the night on Thursday to raise money for AIDS research in one of the most luxurious, and secluded, settings on the French Riviera.
Demi Moore will host the 30th edition of the glitzy charity gala organised by amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, that is held annually alongside the nearby Cannes Film Festival.
Following a cocktail on the pristine grounds of the Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, dinner guests, who pay at least $25,000 for a single seat, will be entertained by Cher and Nick Jonas.
“I have such wonderful memories of being invited to host one of the first amfAR events in Cannes by my friend Elizabeth Taylor,” said Cher in a statement ahead of the event.
The legendary pop icon and Oscar, Grammy and Emmy awards winner chaired the gala alongside Taylor in 1996, contributing to the early success of the event that was first held in 1993. She was honoured with amfAR’s award of inspiration in 2015.
Guests can bid on works by artists such as Andy Warhol and Kenny Scharf, as well a once-in-a-lifetime experiences like a trip to the Antarctic, a luxury getaway to the Maldives or a walk-on role in “Emily in Paris”, during a live auction.
For those who want a unique souvenir for the night, two black-and-white photographs of Cher taken by renowned duo Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott will be on the auction block.
amfAR said that the benefit has to date raised $264 million for its research programs on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
(Reporting by Miranda Murray)
Comments