Jennifer Hudson and Claire Danes to Travel to São Paulo to Help Raise Funds for amfAR
Calvin Klein Collection’s Francisco Costa to be honored at the first Inspiration Gala in Brazil
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
amfAR Media Contacts:
Bennah Serfaty, Senior Director of Communications: (212) 806-1607; bennah.serfaty@amfar.org
Natalie Jacobs, Media Relations Coordinator: (212) 806-1694; natalie.jacobs@amfar.org
March 30, 2011—On Thursday, April 28, 2011, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research will expand its Inspiration event series to São Paulo, Brazil, marking the Foundation’s first benefit event to be held in South America. Francisco Costa, the award winning Women’s Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection, will be presented with the Piaget Award of Inspiration at the event, in recognition of his extraordinary commitments to raising HIV/AIDS awareness and advancing AIDS research.
Acclaimed actress Claire Danes will present Mr. Costa with his award at the event, and Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer and actress Jennifer Hudson will give a special musical performance. The gala, held at the home of Event Chair Felipe Diniz, will also feature specially crafted Grey Goose cocktails, gala dinner, and a live auction. Guests are encouraged to dress inspired by the design theme of “Black Tie//Black Leather.” Other special guests will include models Alessandra Ambrosio, Isabeli Fontana, and Astrid Munoz, and actress Alice Braga.
Mr. Costa currently serves on the board of the AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA), and has contributed to Designers Against AIDS (DAA), which works to raise funds for and awareness about HIV/AIDS prevention around the world. He served as a supporting designer at the 2010 Life Ball in Vienna, Austria, AIDS Life’s annual global fund raiser to support various AIDS charity organizations, including amfAR.
This will mark the fourth event in the Inspiration series, launched by amfAR and Josh Wood Productions in 2010 to celebrate all aspects of style. Previous Inspiration events have taken place at the New York Public Library, Maxim’s in Paris, and the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, raising a collective $1 million for AIDS research.
Designers who have donated Black Tie//Black Leather–inspired looks for the Inspiration series’ fashion presentations and auction include Atelier, Band of Outsiders, Neil Barrett, John Bartlett, Michael Bastian, Bess, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein Collection, Thom Browne, Richard Chai, Kenneth Cole, Dolce & Gabanna, DSquared², Tom Ford, Jean Paul Gaultier, Robert Geller, Tim Hamilton, Hugo Boss, Marc Jacobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Ralph Lauren, Rick Owens, Prada, Trussardi, Viktor & Rolf, Y3, and Yves Saint Laurent.
Fasano is the Hotel Sponsor and Evian is the Water Sponsor of Inspiration São Paulo.
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 the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested nearly $325 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide.
About Josh Wood Productions:
Josh Wood Productions is dedicated to creating provocative and socially conscious events, concerts, festivals, theatrical productions, political fundraisers, and nightlife. Recent projects include the creation of the amfAR Inspiration Gala series in New York, Paris, and Los Angeles honoring Jean-Paul Gaultier and the Ricky Martin Foundation; “America: Now & Here,” a national touring exhibition of the greatest living artists in America including Paul Simon, Cindy Sherman, and Julian Schnabel; and the Highline Festival curated by David Bowie. Raising money for non-profits as diverse as Oxfam, Downtown for Democracy, Rock the Vote, the Guggenheim Foundation, and the Royal Shakespeare Company, among others, events have featured artists from Kylie Minogue to Lady Gaga, David Bowie to Lou Reed, and Arcade Fire to Pink.
Delta is the official airline partner of amfAR
HP is the official technology supplier of amfAR