The Foundation for AIDs Research, amfAR, is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary Cannes Gala with star-studded performances and memorable red carpet fashion moments. Founded in 1985 by actress Elizabeth Taylor and Dr. Mathilde Krim, the foundation’s annual gala lists a who’s who of the fashion and creative industries, whose members have been widely affected by the disease. In 1992, Jean Paul Gaultier collaborated with Madonna for a celebrity runway show. In the same year Gianni Versace held a fashion show in New York with a performance by musician and singer Lenny Kravitz. The foundation’s star-studded support continues to grow. Now an international event, over the years amfAR’s international galas have been in fashionable cities from New York to France. From the archive, here is a look back at the amfAR gala through the years.
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Benefit Preview of Christie’s Auction “Unforgettable: Fashion of the Oscars”
Image Credit: WWD (L-R) Mathilde Krim, Natasha Richardson, Elizabeth Taylor, Lauren Bacall, Uma Thurman, and Sally Kellerman attend the Christie’s Auction House preview exhibition of “Unforgettable: Fashion of the Oscars,” benefitting the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City on March 15, 1999.
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Jean Paul Gaultier Benefit Concert and Fashion Show for amfAR
Image Credit: WWD Madonna and Jean Paul Gaultier participate in a benefit event for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 1992.
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AMFAR Masquerade Party at the Waldorf-Astoria
Image Credit: WWD Carolyne Roehm (2nd from L), Valentino Garavani (C), and guests attend the amfAR masquerade ball at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City on November 30, 1990.
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Versace Rock and Rule Fashion Show and amFAR Benefit
Image Credit: WWD,DNR Lenny Kravitz performs at Versace Rock and Rule Fashion Show and amFAR Benefit at the Seventh Regiment Armory on Park Avenue, on September 14, 1992.
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Versace Hosts Rock N’ Rule Benefit for AmFAR
Image Credit: WWD,DNR Designer Donatella Versace, and model Angie Everhart attend the Versace Rock and Rule Fashion Show and amFAR Benefit at the Seventh Regiment Armory on Park Avenue, on September 14, 1992.
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Versace Hosts Rock N’ Rule Benefit for AmFAR
Image Credit: WWD,DNR Designers Todd Oldham and Marc Jacobs attends the Versace Hosts Rock N’ Rule Benefit for AmFAR in New York, 1992.
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Jean Paul Gaultier Benefit Concert and Fashion Show for amfAR
Image Credit: WWD Mark Wahlberg (L) and David Geffen attend a benefit event for amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on September 24, 1992.
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10th Annual AmfAR Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media (L-R) Designer Kenneth Cole and Editor Carine Roitfeld attend the 10th annual AmfAR Gala at Cipriani on Januray 31, 2008 in New York City
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Amfar
Image Credit: Steve Eichner Donna Karan and singer Mary J. Blige attend an event for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDs Researsh on February 12, 2009 in New York City.
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amfAR Milano, Museo della Permanente, Milan, Italy – 26 Sep 2015
Image Credit: Stephane Feugere/WWD Deborah “Debbie” Harry performs at amfAR Milano at Museo della Permanente on September 26, 2025 in Milan, Italy.
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amfAR gala, Inside, Cipriani Wall Street, New York, America – 10 Feb 2016
Image Credit: Swan Gallet/WWD Robert De Niro and Jay Z attend the amfAR gala at Cipriani Wall Street on February 10, 2016 in New York City.
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11th Annual AmfAR Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Liza Minnelli performs at the 11th Annual amfAR Gala at Cipriani on February 12, 2009 in New York City.
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12th Annual AmfAR Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Zoe Saldana attends amfAR’s 12th annual gala on February 10, 2010 in New York.
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amfAR 2010 Inspiration Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Simon Doonan (L) and Cyndi Lauper attend amfAR’s first annual New York Inspiration Gala at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on June 3, 2010.
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amfAR Cannes Gala 2021
Image Credit: Swan Gallet for WWD Alicia Keys performs at amfAR Cannes Gala 2021 held at the Belle Epoque Villa Eilenroc on July 16, 2021 in Cap d’Antibes, France.
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Amfar Gala
Image Credit: Steve Eichner Diana Von Frustenberg attends an event to support amfAR, The Foundations for AIDS Research on September 9, 2011 in New York.
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AmfAR 2011 Inspiration Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media (L-R) Courtney Love, Jak Donoghue and Alek Wek attend amfAR’s second annual Inspiration Gala New York on June 14, 2011 at the Museum of Modern Art.
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amfAR Gala New York, USA – 07 Feb 2018
Image Credit: Stephen Lovekin/Variety Queen Latifah and Lee Daniels attend amfAR’s 2018 gala on February 7, 2018 in New York City.
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12th Annual AmfAR Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Iman attends amfAR’s 12th annual gala on October 10, 2010 in New York City.
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12th Annual AmfAR Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Lady Gaga in an outfit by Haus of Gaga and heels by Teaser on the red carpet at the 12th annual amfAR gala on October 10, 2010 in New York City.
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12th Annual AmfAR Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Lady Gaga preforms on stage at amfAR’s 12th annual gala on February 10, 2010 in New York.
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12th Annual AmfAR Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Heidi Klum and Michael Kors attend amfAR’s 12th annual gala on September 10, 2010 in New York City.
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Amfar Gala
Image Credit: Steve Eichner Christy Turlington on the red carpet at amfAR’s 2008 gala in New York.
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14th Annual amFar 2012 New York Gala, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Janelle Monae attends the 14th Annual amFar gala on 2012 in New York.
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amfAR Cannes Gala 2021
Image Credit: Swan Gallet for WWD Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Miss Fame at amfAR Cannes Gala 2021 held at the Belle Epoque Villa Eilenroc on July 16, 2021 in Cap d’Antibes, France.
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amfAR gala, Inside, Cipriani Wall Street, New York, America – 10 Feb 2016
Image Credit: Stephen Lovekin/WWD Dee Ocleppo, Tommy Hilfiger and Linda Fargo attend the 2016 amfAR gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York.
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amfAR Inspiration Gala New York 2013, New York
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Jennifer Lopez in Tom Ford and Benny Medina attend the amfAR 2013 Inspiration Gala New York at The Plaza Hotel.
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amfAR Gala, Inside, Spring Summer 2020, Milan Fashion Week, Italy – 21 Sep 2019
Image Credit: Marcus Tondo/WWD Rita Ora performs onstage at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDs Research gala held during Spring 2020 Milan Fashion Week on September 21, 2019.
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amfAR gala, Hong Kong, China – 19 Mar 2016
Image Credit: Joyce Yung/WWD Victoria Beckham attends the 2016 amfAR gala on March 19, 2016 in Hong Kong, China.
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amfAR gala, Hong Kong, China – 19 Mar 2016
Image Credit: Joyce Yung/WWD Michelle Yeoh attends the amfAR gala on March 19, 2016 in Hong Kong, China.
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Amfar Gala
Image Credit: Nina Westervelt for WWD Diplo and Melodie Monrose attend amfAR’s 2020 gala at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
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11th amfAR Gala Honoring Jeremy Scott and TikTok
Image Credit: Roger Kisby for WWD Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic the band perform at the eleventh annual amfAR Gala Los Angeles at Pacific Design Center on November 4, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA.
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amfAR New York Gala, Cocktail Reception, USA – 08 Feb 2017
Image Credit: Kelly Taub/WWD Maye Musk attends amfAR’s New York Gala and Cocktail Reception at Cipriani on February 8, 2017 in New York City.
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11th amfAR Gala Honoring Jeremy Scott and TikTok
Image Credit: Roger Kisby for WWD Jeremy Scott and Anitta at the eleventh annual amfAR Gala Los Angeles at Pacific Design Center on November 4, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA.
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amfAR Cannes Gala 2021
Image Credit: Swan Gallet for WWD Sharon Stone arrives at the amfAR Cannes Gala 2021 held at the Belle Epoque Villa Eilenroc on July 16, 2021 in Cap d’Antibes, France.
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11th amfAR Gala Honoring Jeremy Scott and TikTok
Image Credit: Roger Kisby for WWD Bebe Rexha performs at the eleventh annual amfAR Gala Los Angeles at Pacific Design Center on November 4, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA.
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amfAR Cannes Gala 2021
Image Credit: Swan Gallet for WWD Regina King attends the amfAR Cannes Gala 2021 held at the Belle Epoque Villa Eilenroc on July 16, 2021 in Cap d’Antibes, France.
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amfAR Cannes Gala 2023
Image Credit: Stéphane Feugère for WWD Fan Bingbing at the amfAR Cannes Gala 2023 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 25, 2023 in Cap d’Antibes, France.
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amfAR Cannes Gala 2023
Image Credit: Stéphane Feugère for WWD Daphne Guinness on the blue carpet at the amfAR Cannes Gala 2023 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 25, 2023 in Cap d’Antibes, France.
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amfAR Cannes Gala 2023
Image Credit: Stéphane Feugère for WWD Coco Rocha on the blue carpet at the amfAR Cannes Gala 2023 at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 25, 2023 in Cap d’Antibes, France.