New York, NY — August 12, 2013
On Sunday, September 8th, 2013, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, will bring its Inspiration event series to Toronto. Actress and producer Hilary Swank will attend and serve as Honorary Chair of the Inspiration Gala Toronto, to be held at the Carlu during the Toronto International Film Festival. The event will be hosted by Broadway, film, and TV star Alan Cumming, a longtime dedicated friend of amfAR who recently received the Foundation’s Award of Courage. All proceeds from the event will benefit amfAR’s innovative AIDS research programs.
The black tie gala will include a cocktail reception and dinner, a fashion presentation by Marc Jacobs, a live auction of exclusive luxury items, and will feature a performance by Gossip, the acclaimed, bluesy dance-rock band known for their thrilling live show.
John Demsey, Group President, The Estée Lauder Companies and Chairman of the M·A·C AIDS Fund, is the event’s Chair. Serving on the Host Committee are Massoud Abbasi, Lisa Airan, M.D., Trevor M. Born, M.D., Zark Fatah, Alex Filiatrault, Shinan Govani, Gregoriane Minot, Pierre Jutras, Kevin Pennant, Toufik Sarwa, and Mary Symons.
The Inspiration event series, produced by Josh Wood Productions, celebrates all aspects of men’s style and features a different design theme each year. The Inspiration Gala Toronto will include a fashion presentation of exclusive looks from iconic designer Marc Jacobs, worn by Elmer Olsen models and styled by George Antonopoulos.
Inspiration events have raised more than $10 million to date for amfAR, and have also been held in New York, Los Angeles, São Paulo, and Miami. The series has seen performances by such legendary artists as Katy Perry, Grace Jones, Debbie Harry, Jennifer Hudson, Scissor Sisters, Cyndi Lauper, Courtney Love, and Sinéad O’Connor. Honorees at previous Inspiration Galas have included Jennifer Lopez, Alan Cumming, James Franco, Kevin Huvane, Francisco Costa, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Fergie, Michael Kors, Mario Testino, Ricky Martin, Robert Duffy/Marc Jacobs International, and Pelé.
The Inspiration Gala will be presented by M·A·C Viva Glam. Microsoft is the Official Technology Partner. Shangri-La hotel Toronto is the Hotel Sponsor. Pennant Media Group is the Media Partner. Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of amfAR.
About amfAR:
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research is one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy. Since 1985, amfAR has invested more than $366 million in its programs and has awarded grants to more than 2,000 research teams worldwide. www.amfar.org
About M·A·C Cosmetics
M·A·C (Make-up Art Cosmetics), a leading brand of professional cosmetics, was created in Toronto, Canada in 1984 and is part of The Estée Lauder Companies, Inc. The company’s popularity has grown through a tradition of word-of-mouth endorsement from makeup artists, models, photographers and journalists around the world. M·A·C is now sold in 89 countries worldwide. Follow M·A·C on Twitter @MACcosmetics (twitter.com/maccosmetics), become a M·A·C fan on Facebook (facebook.com/maccosmetics), watch M·A·C videos on YouTube and find our M·A·C Senior Artists at macartiststweets.com. For a M·A·C location visit maccosmetics.com.
About Josh Wood Productions:
Josh Wood Productions has produced and promoted socially conscious events and concerts featuring artists such as Arcade Fire, Lady Gaga, Ricky Gervais, Norah Jones, Kylie Minogue, Lou Reed, Scissors Sisters, Michael Stipe, and the Pet Shop Boys. Their events have raised money and awareness for Downtown for Democracy, The Guggenheim Foundation, Empire State Pride Agenda, Friends of Hillary, Friends of the Highline, Hetrik Martin Institute, MoveOn, Obama for America, Oxfam, Rock the Vote, The Royal Shakespeare Company and Veterans for Peace. Josh Wood Productions’ latest project, “The Inspiration Gala Series: A Celebration of Men’s Style,” is an international fashion gala fundraiser benefiting amfAR. For more information please visit www.joshwoodproductions.com.
CANADIAN MEDIA CONTACT:
Kevin Pennant, Pennant Media Group Creative Director: +1 416 596 2978, [email protected]
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Bennah Serfaty, amfAR Sr. Director of Communications: +1 212 806 1607, [email protected]
Natalie Marquis, amfAR Media Relations Manager: +1 212 806 1694, [email protected]
