$5.3 Million Raised at amfAR’s Inaugural Palm Beach Gala
Tommy Hilfiger Honored
Award Presented by Sylvester Stallone
Christina Aguilera Performed
PHOTO LINK HERE: Press Release Photos
Palm Beach, FL, March 6, 2022
amfAR’s inaugural event in Palm Beach, at the spectacular home of Amy and John Phelan, raised $5.3 million for AIDS research last night. Legendary fashion designer and philanthropist, Tommy Hilfiger, was honored for his commitment to the fight against AIDS and the award was presented to him by Sylvester Stallone. Multi-Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, Christina Aguilera, headlined the evening.
The exclusive open-air event, hosted by Schitt’s Creek star, Emily Hampshire, included a cocktail reception, a seated gala dinner, a live auction of exquisite contemporary art, and a special performance by Christina Aguilera, who had guests dancing and out of their seats. Singer/songwriter Parson James, best known for his hit single “Stole the Show,” a collaboration with Kygo, also performed at the event to an adoring crowd.
The event’s live auction, conducted by Simon de Pury, was hugely successful and featured extraordinary pieces of contemporary art, which generated enthusiastic bidding from guests. Winning bids secured works by the following renowned artists:
- Vaughn Spann – $375,000
- Jim Lambie – $120,000
- Jim Hodges – $320,000
- Gilbert & George – $170,000
- Tom Sachs – $110,000
- Leo Villareal – $250,000
- Kevin Hees – $80,000
- Jack Pierson – $90,000
- Davide Balliano – $35,000
- Harland Miller – $500,000
- Carlos Rolón – $260,000
- Nir Hod – $90,000
- Jose Alvarez (D.O.P.A) -$320,000
- Joel Mesler – $140,000
Event Chairs included Dee Hilfiger, Robert Kraft and Dana Blumberg, Omeed and Caroline Malik, Amy and John Phelan, and Stephen and Christine Schwarzman. Event Co-Chairs included Vanessa Amor, Frank and Laura Baker, Andrew Boszhardt, T. Ryan Greenawalt, Brian and Tania Higgins, Michele and Howard Kessler, Karolina Kurkova and Archie Drury, Michael Lorber, Kevin McClatchy, Howard and Cindy Rachofsky, Nancy C. Rogers, Tad Smith and Caroline Fitzgibbons, Lindsay Taylor, Evan and Ku-Ling Yurman, and Steve and Andrea Wynn.
amfAR has been active in Southern Florida since 1986 and has awarded over 90 grants totaling $6 million in the region. As a world leader in infectious disease research, amfAR has temporarily expanded its efforts to include research on the intersection of Covid-19 and HIV. While there has been remarkable progress on Covid vaccine development, urgent work needs to be done to develop safe and effective treatments and to answer critical questions about the impact of Covid-19 on people living with HIV. amfAR continues to fund research in these important areas.
This week, amfAR’s Board of Trustees awarded a $150,000 Krim Fellowship to Sebastian Fuchs, PhD, of the University of Miami. Fuchs is working on an innovative gene therapy approach to delivering antibodies against HIV. amfAR’s Krim Fellowships are named for Dr. Mathilde Krim, amfAR’s Founding Chairman, and awarded to talented young scientists trying to establish an independent career in HIV research.
Signature Sponsors for the event were David Yurman and Aston Martin. The evening was also generously supported by Piper-Heidsieck and Boroli Wines.
About amfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $600 million in its programs and has awarded more than 3,500 grants to research teams worldwide.
Contact: Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Senior Director, Communications, Bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Melissa Rubenstein, melissa.rubenstein@amfar.org
Maureen O’Sullivan – MOREPB@aol.com