History in the Making

Hollywood stars and Hong Kong’s elite gathered to celebrate the city’s inaugural amfar gala,writes Justine Lee

o make aids history by 2020—that’s the mission of the American Foundation for Aids Research (amfar), the leading non-profit organisation dedicated to putting an end to the epidemic that affects more than 35 million people worldwide today. The foundation held its first benefit in 1993 during the Cannes Film Festival, presided over by founding chairman Elizabeth Taylor, and has since held highprofile affairs around the world to raise funds for Aids awareness and research programmes.

Hong Kong’s inaugural amfar fundraising gala, held on March 14, was a spectacular night co-hosted by event chair Pansy Ho and honorary chair Gwyneth Paltrow. Actress Michelle Yeoh was recognised during the proceedings for her outstanding commitment to the fight against Aids.

Simon de Pury kept spirits bubbling along throughout the evening with his entertaining auctioneering. The lots included a Harry Winston diamond necklace (modelled by Paltrow), a painting by Jia Aili, an exclusive trip to New York to attend Marc Jacobs’ fashion show in 2016 and—the big surprise of the night—tickets to the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation gala in St Tropez, which went for HK$1 million. All told, the auction raised HK$4 million to support amfar’s efforts.

The audience were up and dancing as Robin Thicke took to the stage to perform his biggest hits, including Blurred Lines and Give it 2 U, as well as a cover of Michael Jackson’s Rock With You. Shortly after his show, the crowd was escorted to another studio for the after-party, where Fat Tony and Kate Moss rocked the decks as Naomi Campbell, Paris Hilton and the rest of the guests tore up the dance floor to the sounds of classic hip-hop, pop and rock from the 1980s.

Gwyneth Paltrow

David and Lucy Tang

Claudine Ying

Wendi Deng Naomi Campbell Victoria Beckham