This year’s amfAR Gala Cannes was back in full force after a rollercoaster two years of pandemic uncertainty and travel restrictions, raising €18 million for amfAR’s HIV/AIDS programs and honouring Robert DeNiro in the process.

Celebrities, philanthropists and the “who’s who” of the global jetset came out to support amfAR’s 28th edition of the gala at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, alongside guest of honour Robert DeNiro, on Thursday 26th May.

Ricky Martin opened the evening with a firecracker of a hip-shaking performance, Charli XCX kept the energy high between auction lots with three of her latest hits, Christina Aguilera gave a second wind of energy to close the night, warming up the guests for the after-party that followed.

Legendary auctioneer Simon de Pury led the bidding wars between guests as they battled it out for high-priced items and priceless experiences. AmfAR’s Global Fundraising Chairman Milutin Gatsby supported de Pury’s auction efforts.

Guests who came out to support amfAR  included Robert DeNiro, who helped raise €700,000 in the auction with a donation of his father’s artwork and a private lunch with the winning bidder, as well as Baz Luhrmann, Carine Roitfeld, Caroline Scheufele, Cynthia Erivo, Eva Longoria, Ever Anderson, Julian Lennon, Kate Hudson, LaKeith Stanfield, Laura Linney, Lauren Remington Platt, Michelle Rodriguez, Michelle Williams, Michelle Yeoh, Milla Jovovich, Mohammed Al-Turki, Rita Wilson, Sam Bankman-Fried, Tom Hanks, Vanessa Hudgens, amfAR Board Co-Chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy, amfAR Trustee Vin Roberti and amfAR Global Fundraising Chair Milutin Gatsby.

Also in attendance were Casey Affleck, Tommy Hilfiger, Edgar Ramirez, Alex Pettyfer, Alton Mason, Bianca Brandolini, Boris Kodjoe, Candice Swanepoel, Cara Delevingne, Charlotte McKinney, Claire Foy, Ciara, Cindy Bruna, Charli D’Amelio, Charlbi Dean, Coco Rocha, Dee Hilfiger, Dylan Brosnan, Diplo, Elizabeth Sulcer, Elsa Hosk, Georgia Fowler, Heart Evangelista, Indya Moore, Isabeli Fontana, Jessica Wang, Jourdan Dunn, Julian Lennon, Kat Graham, Kevin Dillon, Kristina Romanova, Lena Situations, Leonie Hanne, Liza Koshy, Lorena Rae, Luna Bijl, Marianne Fonseca, Matteo Bocelli, Milutin Gatsby, Naomi Campbell, Natasha Bassett, Nicole Parker, Nina Dobrev, Olivia Culpo, Paul Anderson, Pom Klementieff, Sabrina Carpenter, Sabrina Elba, Shalom Harlow, Shaun White, Stella Maxwell, Victoria Barbara, Winnie Harlow, and Zoey Deutch.

Carine Roitfeld curated and produced the evening’s fashion show, presented by Co-Chairs Milla Jovovich and Eva Longoria, which later sold in its entirety for €800,000.  Participating designers included Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Gucci, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Fendi, Tom Ford, Jacquemus, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Armani, Alaïa, Versace, Monot, Nensi Dojaka, Dior and more.

The models in the fashion show included Jodeci, Xu Meen, Jordan Barrett, Joshua Seth, Paul Hameline, Braien Vaiksaar, Sara Sampaio, Blesnya Minher, Faretta, Madison Headrick, Valery Kaufman, Noemie Lenoire, Shayna McNeill, Ines Rau, Candice Huffine, Ashley Graham, Cindy Bruna, Mao Xiaoxing, Evelina Lauren, Claire Delozier, Hiandra Martinez, Luna Bijl, Ajok Madel, Denise Ascuet, Daphne Groeneveld, Isabeli Fontana, Stella Duval, Issa Lish, Akon Changkou, Bente Oort, Lineisy Montero, Shanina Shaik and more.

Presenting Sponsors were FTX as the official cryptocurrency partner of the gala, and Red Sea International Film Festival. Signature sponsors included Chopard, which donated a unique pair of diamond earrings from the red-carpet collection to the live auction, and Jelenew, which worked with fashion designer Stéphane Rolland to create a custom dress that was included in the fashion show.

Charlotte Tilbury served as the official beauty partner, providing skincare and make-up products and professional make-up artists for the fashion show.  Revolve, in association with The h.wood Group, was amfAR’s after party host. The amfAR Gala Cannes was produced by Andy Boose/AAB Productions.

Over the years, amfAR Gala Cannes has raised a cumulative total of more than €245 million for amfAR’s lifesaving AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and advocacy.

Click on the gallery below to see more pictures from the amfAR Gala Cannes (Photos by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for amfAR)…

Top photo: Simon de Pury and Robert De Niro speak on stage during the amfAR Cannes Gala 2022 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 26, 2022 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by John Phillips/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR)

Katie Lister is a global luxury brand consultant and marketing executive, and a contributing writer for Monaco Life.