Carine Roitfeld has dedicated this year's red-themed amfAR Cannes Gala to the legendary actress Marilyn Monroe.
The amfAR benefit is arguably the most prestigious event at Cannes Film Festival. It's Hollywood's fight against AIDS. The event will stage a red-themed fashion show of gowns created for the occasion.
Former Vogue Editor-in-Chief Carine Roitfeld has been organizing the catwalk show for three years now. Last year, the show was themed black and gold. This year, Roitfeld has opted for a brighter and bolder color and dedicated the show to legendary actress Marilyn Monroe.
"She searched for love all her life, and I think she would have been a big supporter of the foundation," she told WWD in an interview.
Karlie Kloss and Arizona Muse are among the 40 models that will walk the ramp in gowns designed by A-list fashion designers including Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Dior and Marc Jacobs. Christopher Kane, Alexander McQueen and Burberry are amongst the British names who have designed gowns for the occasion.
Roitfeld said that this event is different from other boring and "sad" charity event because this one's more like a celebration where everyone is in a "partying mood."
"Charities are so sad, you often feel guilty attending them," Roitfeld added in her interview. "But it's a party, and we are celebrating life."
amfAR chairman Kenneth Cole said the organization has come a long way since knowing nothing about AIDS to now having "six classes of drugs that allow people to live a relatively normal lifespan." Cole also announced the commencement of a new initiative titled "Countdown to a Cure," which will raise funds to develop a cure for HIV by 2020.
Previous initiatives to raise funds for the cause included a trip to space with Leonardo DiCaprio and a kiss from George Clooney, according to The Telegraph. Last year's show was dedicated to Elizabeth Taylor, former Founding National Chairman of the organization.
amfAR remains one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to fighting the AIDS epidemic, and has invested more than $340 million in support of its mission. Last year, the show raised over $2 million.
