Milan Bids Adieu to Fashion Week with amFAR Gala

Even after an exhausting week, the fashion industry wrapped up Milan Fashion Week in style with amFAR’s second annual black tie benefit, held Tuesday evening at the art space La Permanente.

Roberto Cavalli, who presented his 40th anniversary show that very day, co-hosted the gala with Cavalli-clad Heidi Klum and admitted it was his idea to take on both. The seventy-year-old designer explains, “I know it sounds crazy for me to host my anniversary show and this on the same day, but I proposed it.” However, Cavalli had no intention of refilling the potato chips bowls: “I’m just here to sit back and then raise some money."

And raise some money, they did – a generous $1 million went to amFAR, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of HIV/AIDS research. However, guests of the event – who included Diane von Furstenberg, Chanel Iman, Francesca Versace, and Alessandra Ambrosio – seemed understandably more interested in having a good time than the good cause behind it. Partygoers were treated to performances by Simona Bencini, Leona Lewis, and broadway star Cheyenne Jackson, and were invited to participate in the live auction in which a Bert Stern portrait of Marilyn Monroe sold for $57,000 and a DvF customized Mini Cooper fetched $110,000.

Although Milan Fashion Week quickly came and went, hopefully the partnership forged between fashion and philanthropy will not be a fleeting trend.

Photo Source: WWD.com