amfAR RAISES MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION FOR AIDS RESEARCH AT THE 7th amfAR GALA SÃO PAULO
Katie Holmes, Kate Moss, Dinho Diniz, Felipe Diniz, Anitta, Preta Gil, Sabrina Sato, Mert Alas, Barbara Fialho, and Julian Lennon were among those who gathered at the seventh annual amfAR Gala São Paulo to honor Brazilian artist Vik Muniz for his commitment to the fight against AIDS. The event, presented by Harry Winston, raised over $1.3 million for amfAR’s lifesaving AIDS research programs.
Other guests in attendance included Ronaldo, Marina Ruy Barbosa, Mariah Bernardes, Paulo Gustavo, Juliana Paes, Lea T., Regina Casé, Fiorella Matheis, Luciana Gimenez, Lucas Jagger, Regina Pereira, Paula Martins, Fernanda Paes Leme, Erika Alkessuani, Rodrigo Bocardi, Júlia Faria, Helena Bordon, Lala Rudge, Lele Saddi, Malu Barreto, Lea Cerezo, Yasmin Brunet, Fernanda Motta, Laura Neiva, Anna Fasano, Donata Meirelles, Isabella Santoni, Celina Locks, Carolina Ferraz, Luiza Brunet, Deborah Nascimento, José Loretto, Cauã Raymond, Fabio Porchat, Sergio Marone, Didi Wagner, Beto Pacheco, Carol Ribeiro, Adriane Gaisteu, Mariana Goldfarb, Sergio Degese, Carlo Jereissati Filho, and Miguel Garcia, among others.
Katie Holmes and Felipe Diniz opened the evening by welcoming guests and thanking the event sponsors. Holmes then introduced amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, who spoke about amfAR’s Countdown to a Cure for AIDS initiative, which in less than three years has awarded grants totaling close to $40 million to support HIV cure-focused research conducted by more than 150 scientists working at 55 institutions in 10 countries around the world.
Regina Casé, host of the 2016 Olympics Opening Ceremony in Rio de Janeiro and known as “the queen of diversity” in Brazil, presented the amfAR Award of Courage to “one of today’s most important and influential artists,” Vik Muniz. Muniz, who has been a dedicated supporter of amfAR and donated many of his pieces for auction at amfAR’s galas in São Paulo, contributing nearly $400,000 to AIDS research, described the recognition as an incredible honor.
nearly $400,000 to AIDS research, described the recognition as an incredible honor.
The evening also featured two spectacular live performances. Model Lea T. introduce the evening’s first performer, Brazilian singer Preta Gil, who gave a meaningful performance of Children of the Rainbow, an upcoming song to benefit amfAR.
Brazilian television personality Sabrina Sato introduced the evening’s headliner, two-time Latin Grammy Award-nominated singer Anitta, who ended the event with an explosive set of her biggest hits that kept guests dancing into the night.
Brazilian television personality Sabrina Sato introduced the evening’s headliner, two-time Latin Grammy Award-nominated singer Anitta, who ended the event with an explosive set of her biggest hits that kept guests dancing into the night.
Guests also enjoyed bidding on an array of exclusive items and experiences during the live auction, conducted by Simon de Pury. Highlights included:
Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl, after James Whistler, Pictures of Magazines, a work by the evening’s honoree Vik Muniz, sold for $135,000.
A once-in-a-lifetime private photo session with international celebrity Kim Kardashian West by renowned fashion photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, which will be featured as a full page in Vogue Brasil, sold for $70,000.
Two invitations to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Order of the Garter procession with the Queen of England and members of the royal family sold for $50,000.
Retrato, a work by twin brothers Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo known as OSGEMOS, sold for $60,000.
Moët Hennessy provided a Monaco Grand Prix experience. The winning couple will enjoy a weekend of Moët Hennessy savoir-faire and art de vivre combining luxury wines and spirits, gastronomic feasts, and VIP tickets to the Monaco Grand Prix including access to the paddocks.