A record amount. The exclusive annual benefit gala organized by amfAR, a non profit foundation dedicated to the support for the fight against Aids, raised nearly $2 million. Now in its eighth edition, the amfAR Milano gala, realized in collaboration with Harry Winston, took place on Saturday 24 September at La Permanente in occasion of meneghina fashion week, drawing many personalities of the fashion world and celebrities. Numerous guest auctioneers chaired the event, including the actress Heather Graham, the star of burlesque Dita Von Teese, Victoria’s Secret Angels Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkov and Sara Sampaio, the Italian chef Carlo Cracco, the model Lottie Moss and the fashion designer and amfAR's Chairman Kenneth Cole.

The event, that also featured the live performances by British singer Charli XCX and the US band Brazilian Girls, has paid tribute to Lapo Elkann with the Award of Courage (last year assigned to Renzo Rosso, President of OTB Group) in recognition of his outstanding personal commitment to the fight against Aids and his generous support of amfAR. “It’s not about me. It’s about Aids. It’s about being generous.” said the heir to the Fiat Group.

Between the objects of contention a portfolio of 25 lithographs by Salvador Dalí, sold for 45,000 euro, two tickets to the 2017 Golden Globe Awards for 80,000 euro, and those to the 2016 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, including prime seat location at the fashion show as well as entrance into the exclusive after-party, sold for 100,000 euro. The prestigious lots also included Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage Collection 1985 gift box, a pair of diamond earrings by Harry Winston, a photograph of David Bowie taken by Terry O’Neill and a dinner at the Garage Italia Customs restaurant, opening in Spring 2017 in Milan, with Lapo Elkann and prepared by Carlo Cracco.

Since 1985 to present, the American organization amfAR (Foundation for AIDS Research) is one of the most important realities in the world dedicated to combating Aids. Since amfAR’s first international benefit, held in 1993 during the Cannes Film Festival and hosted by Elizabeth Taylor, the benefit galas in Milan, New York, Cannes, Venice, Rome have helped raise millions for critical Aids research programs, involving big names of fashion, business, art, music and cinema.