The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) has revealed the collection of rare and unusual luxury items that will be auctioned at the Cinema Against Aids Dubai fundraising event, held under the patronage of Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
Sponsored by Dubai Pearl, the glittering dinner and auction will raise funds for The American Foundation for Aids Research (amfAR), the world's leading organisation dedicated to the HIV/Aids research, prevention, education, and public policy advocacy. Cinema Against Aids is one of its flagship events, held at film festivals around the world.
Glamorous
amfAR fundraising chair Sharon Stone will preside over Cinema Against Aids Dubai, assisted by event chairs Michelle Yeoh, Abdul Majid Al Fahim, and Satjiv S. Chahil.
Shivani Pandya, DIFF's Managing Director, expressed her anticipation of the first Cinema Against Aids Dubai: "We urge philanthropic connoisseurs in the Emirates to take part in what promises to be the most glamourous event of the year, in the company of some of the world's most photographed faces.
Bab Al Shams Resort will serve as an incomparable backdrop to an intimate event with 350 guests who will have the opportunity to be a part of an important initiative that will benefit people around the world."
Andrew Boose, Producer of Cinema Against Aids for amfAR, stated: "We are excited to inaugurate Cinema Against Aids Dubai; it is rewarding to see this event take place around the world and know that the entertainment industry is drawing attention and funds toward this critical issue. We are grateful to DIFF for its forward thinking in taking a stand against HIV/Aids with this event."
Among the auction items, Cinema Against Aids Dubai's Grand Patron Hewlett-Packard has donated the Voodoo Omen Gold Edition gold-plated personal gaming computer, which will offer gaming enthusiasts the most luxurious computing experience available today. The liquid-cooled instrument, with a 30 inch display, is the only gold-plated PC of its kind in the world, with its own custom flight case.
Stone's items
Many of the exquisite and unique auction items were donated by Sharon Stone herself. Her mint-condition 1961 Lincoln Continental with its trademark front-opening rear doors will turn heads on the road, and her couture donations will have the same effect indoors: two fur-lined leather jackets, a honey-brown Cavalli snakeskin and a soft beige leather Louis Vuitton, as well as three stunning gowns from her personal collection. These include a silk leopard print Cavalli, an asymmetrical, sleeveless Ungaro couture gown with matching jacket, and a black chiffon John Galliano couture evening gown.
Stone's signature is on many of the auction items — literally. Her autograph and the inscription 'amfAR gala, Dubai December 10, 2007' appear on the case back of a stunning Dior Christal timepiece of quartz, stainless steel, black sapphire crystal and 910 radiant diamonds.
Also on offer is a Moroccan leather vanity case designed by the actress for Louis Vuitton. For a more personal touch, another 'priceless' auction item is a private movie screening and dinner for four with Stone at Spago Beverly Hills, the quintessential Hollywood restaurant, courtesy of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
Two master contemporary artists have donated work to the auction. Robert Rauschenberg's "Moors" will come under the gavel; his work is collected by virtually every major museum of modern art. "Moors" is a collage of the artist's vast archive of found and self-generated photos. Acrobatic artist Brian Olsen will also donate one of his monumental celebrity portraits that he creates with a handful of brushes while flipping, jumping and dancing in front of the canvas.
Transcending both art and fashion is "The Trench of Stars", a limited edition Ottavio Fabri crystal-encrusted silk trench coat. Fabri's artwork and fashion designs are inspired by Galileo, Newton, Einstein and the cinema of Kubrick, and celebrate the beauty of the night sky.
How you can be a part of amfar
Individual seats for the event start at $2000 (Dh7,342), and can be purchased via telephone on 04 367 6716. Those unable to attend can be part of Cinema Against Aids Dubai by placing telephonic bids to the same phone number, or by emailing amfAR's manager of special events at david.yu@amfar.org
