At the amfAR Gala 2013

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THE EVENT

Last Thursday, I was invited to attend the prestigious annual amfAR gala at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden Roc, which was probably THE most high profile event I have ever been to. From sitting at Paris Hilton‘s table, having dinner with A-listers such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman and Sharon Stone, enjoying musical performances of the likes of Duran Duran or Shirley Bassey to witnessing Anna Dello Russo‘s best dance moves during the unbelievable ULTIMATE GOLD COLLECTION FASHION SHOW curated by Carine Roitfeld. Everything was superlative. For a ticket price of around €8000.00 it should be, shouldn’t it?!

Below, I put together my very own photo diary of the event with of course some exclusive footage. The invite said that nobody was allowed to take pictures, that if you were seen, the camera would be confiscated immediately. But I managed to get some great shots! Enjoy!

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MY OUTFIT

As gold was a dominant detail of the event, I went for a look in this radiant colour.
Python leather dress (every scale is handsewn on this piece) and matching heels by Tom Ford, Twenties stay-up in black by Wolford, Catwalk patent leather bag with crocodile print by Saint Laurent and earrings by Chanel.

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SHARON STONE

THE CELEBRITIES

VIPS in attendance included: Sharon Stone, Jessica Chastain, Carine Roitfeld, Bonnie Wright, Aishwarya Rai, Paz Vega, Rosario Dawson, Goldie Hawn, Janet Jackson, Milla Jovovich, Heidi Klum, Kylie Minogue, Nicole Kidman, Audrey Tautou, Kristen Scott Thomas, Christopher Waltz, Leonardo di Caprio, Dita von Teese, Paris Hilton, Adrien Brody, Zachary Quinto, Thom Browne, Daniele and Roberto Cavalli.

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THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION

If you have ever been to the beautiful gardens of the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, you know how gorgeous the atmosphere is. It was amazing to enjoy a glass of bubbly while watching all the celebs arrive.

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Milla Jovovich

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Golden Girls: Anne Meyer-Minnemann (German Gala magazine) with me

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THE DINNER

Roberto Cavalli was the official decor sponsor of the 2oth amfAR Gala 2013 with iconic pieces of his Home Collection. Dinner was a feast for the eyes, but unfortunately not a culinary delight. The food was unpalatable.

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THE AUCTION

During the gala dinner, celebrities such as Heidi Klum, Nicole Kidman, Goldie Hawn and Janet Jackson went on stage and gave a little speech. The auction conducted by Simon de Pury included one-of-a-kind items, such as a trip to space with Leonardo DiCaprio that went for 1.2 million euros, a week at Donna Karan’s resort home in Parrot Cay, and a family portrait sitting with Annie Leibovitz. But these were just a few of the items sold at amfAR’s most successful benefit event to date. Cinema Against AIDS XX exceeded all expectations, raising nearly $25 million in a single night, helping amfAR in its continued fight against HIV/AIDS.

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Janet Jackson

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I was seated at a very fun table with Paris Hilton and her boyfriend River Viiperi

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…model Toni Garrn joined in the fun…

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…as well as American jewelry designer Dawid Yurman who was also at the table.

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Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (The antagonist in Casino Royale) with me

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Paris Hilton

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Gorgeous Jessica Chastain (The face of Yves Saint Laurent’s Manifesto).

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THE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

After placing their bids during one of amfAR’s legendary auctions, the charitable crowd was moved by musical performances that ranged from Dame Shirley Bassey singing “Goldfinger” to Ellie Goulding and a rare live performance by Duran Duran. As John Taylor and Simon Le Bon, surrounded by swaying models, rocked on the stage, I leapt from my dinner table and began dancing.

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Simon Le Bon rocking with Alessandra Ambrosio

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Anna Dello Russo was also moving to the beats

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Would love to know what Giovanna Battaglia just heard?!

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THE ULTIMATE GOLD COLLECTION FASHION SHOW

Personally speaking, the highlight of the event was the fashion show curated by Carine Roitfeld. Forty top models participated in a spectacular runway presentation of one-of-a-kind gold looks with gold jewelry from emerging and established designers. See my favourites below:

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Karolina Kurkova in Roberto Cavalli

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Joan Smalls in Givenchy

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Toni Garrn in Vionnet

LOOK 7 - VALENTINO

Julia Restoin-Roitfeld in Valentino

LOOK 28 - CHANEL

Ashleigh Good in Chanel

LOOK 20 - BURBERRY

Angela Lindvall in Burberry Prorsum

LOOK 35 - PUCCIPucci + Bulgari 2

Anna Dello Russo danced down the runway in Pucci and Bvlgari

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…and Pucci’s Creative Director Peter Dundas cheered along with Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld.

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After the runway show, Sharon Stone auctioned off this amazing gold collection in a very witty and entertaining way, exhorting the crowd to bid higher and higher. “The bid is a million dollars—I mean euros,” she said. “Won’t someone give more?” Yes, this night somebody did. All the outfits went for 1.2 million euros. You can see the lucky couple below.

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THE AFTER PARTY

Moncler was sponsoring the after party that seemed a little boring compared to the gala dinner. Most of the celebrities left and that might have been also due to the terrible weather conditions that had occurred all of a sudden. The wind was beating like crazy as you can see.

I was having so much fun that it felt like I already flew to space with Leonardo. Stay tuned for more upcoming post from Cannes with Chopard!

LoL, Sandra

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Photos: Courtesy of LoveGold, © Getty Images and © Sandra Bauknecht

At the Burberry Prorsum F/W 2011 Show

Burberry Prorsum F:W 2011 Show

Today’s Burberry Prorsum F/W 2011 show took place in a massive tent in London’s Royal Park of Kensington Gardens. It was a true spectacle with many celebrities attending the event., including among others Rachel Bilson, Kate Bosworth, Alexa Chung, Stella Tennant, Maggie Cheung, Anna Wintour, Samantha Cameron, Mario Testino, Laura Haddock, Lily Donaldson, Julia Restoin Roitfield, Daisy Lowe, Alice Dellal, Sophie Kennedy-Clark, Poppy Delevingne, Nick Rhodes and Simon Le Bon.

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My invitation

I was photographed many times

I was photographed many times

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What a spectacle!

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People are watching the arrival of the celebrities

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Caroline Daily

Lily Donaldson

Lily Donaldson...

Lily Donaldson arrives

...on her way in.

Stella Tennant in Burberry studs with Tim Blanks

Stella Tennant in Burberry studs with Tim Blanks

Duran Duran arrives: Nick Rhodes & Simon Le Bon

Duran Duran arrives: Nick Rhodes & Simon Le Bon

A "catwalk" for the celebrities to be interviewed and photographed

A "catwalk" for the celebrities to be interviewed and photographed

Me at Burberry Prorsum

Me at Burberry Prorsum

Photographer Mario Testino

Photographer Mario Testino

Poppy Delevigne

Poppy Delevigne

Me inside

Me inside

Natalie Massenet, founder of net-à-porter, with me

Natalie Massenet, founder of net-à-porter, with me

W 2011

Christopher Bailey named his F/W 2011 collection after the icon of the Swinging Sixties “Jean Shrimpton”. The look and sound of her golden era shaped the show. The Shrimp once did advertising for Burberry so she had history with the house.
Trim coats with matching bags, drop-waisted tulip-skirted dresses, bold colours, check at its best, the designer played with the silhouettes. Two thumbs up!

Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo in front of me

Bergdorf Goodman's Linda Fargo in front of me

Loved this mink coat!

Loved this mink coat!

Gorgeous pants

Gorgeous pants

Beautiful silhouette

Beautiful silhouettes

Outerwear

Outerwear

Balck and white moments

Black and white moments

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The finale of the show was divine. Snow was falling of the ceiling and the models were protected with little rain capes.

The finale of the show was divine. Snow was falling of the ceiling and the models were protected with little rain capes. Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

Live stream at Piccadilly Circus

Live stream at Piccadilly Circus

As part of 40 events, the show was broadcasted live globally in Burberry flagship stores from Boston to Beijing, creating ‘buy from the runway’ in-store virtual trunk show events across 4 continents
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The 40th venue, London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus, streamed the show live onto the famous 32 metre digital screen viewed by an estimated 1.2 million people a week – a first for any brand.

LoL, Sandra