Inside Harry Winston’s amfAR’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS

Photo Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Harry Winston

It’s been called the hottest event at Cannes, and this year’s 23rd Cinema Against AIDS amfAR gala didn’t disappoint.

The be-all, end-all of charity events, so star-studded it gives the Oscars a run for its money—was presented by Harry Winston and attended by a slew of celebrities from Leonardo DiCaprio, Helen Mirren, Adrien Brody, Harvey Weinstein, Heidi Klum, Orlando Bloom, Kevin Spacey and Uma Thurman to Katy Perry, who gave a resplendent performance that included her top hits such as “Roar,” “Teenage Dream” and “Firework.”

Photo Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Harry Winston

There was also a fashion show, with some of the top models in the business taking part, including Victoria’s Secret models like Alessandra Ambrosio, Jourdan Dunn, Karlie Kloss and Irina Shayk. 

The event, held at the storied Hotel du Cap in Antibes, raised $25 million for HIV/AIDS research thanks to some cool charity items and even more philanthropic celebrities.

Ron Burkle bid $1.1 million on a camouflage Ferrari, while a day with Kevin Spacey sold for $575,000. The opportunity to sleep in Leonardo DiCaprio’s Palm Springs vacation home sold for $500,000, an art installation by Swiss artist John Armleder was purchased by Milla Jovovich for $170,000, while a Harry Winston piece—the secret cluster perfume bottle necklace, as modeled by Karolina Kurkova—set with aquamarines and sapphires exclusively for the amfAR Cinema Against AIDS 23 live auction,went for just over $400,000. 

Photo Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Harry Winston

In January 2015, Harry Winston announced a groundbreaking three-year partnership with amfAR, in support of the organization’s mission to end the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research, and its “Countdown to a Cure” initiative, which is aimed at developing the scientific basis for a cure by 2020.  Launched in February 2014, the countdown is designed to intensify amfAR’s cure-focused HIV research program through strategic investments of $100 million over the next five years.

Harry Winston’s support for amfAR marks the brand’s first collaboration with a global organization, signifying not only its expanding presence, but also its increased philanthropic commitment to vital causes that continue to affect millions of people worldwide. In honor of its second year of partnership with amfAR, in February 2016, Harry Winston introduced the  Countdown to a Cure Timepiece – a limited edition collection of 20 men’s and 20 women’s models. Retailing for $21,200 for the men’s timepiece, and $16,200 for the women’s, the Countdown to a Cure Timepiece is sold exclusively at Harry Winston salons worldwide, with 20% of the retail sales price from each limited-edition timepiece benefitting amfAR’s efforts to develop the scientific basis of a cure for HIV by 2020.