The 20th edition of the Cinema Against AIDS held its annual fundraiser in Antibes during the Cannes Film Festival in 2013. The fundraiser, hosted by amfAR (the Foundation for AIDS Research), brings together international movie stars, philanthropist, filmmakers, business people, international celebrities, and the medical fraternity to raise funds in support of scientific and medical research on AIDS prevention and treatment.
The co-founder of amfAR, Elizabeth Taylor, established the NPO in 1985 following the death of her friend and fellow actor, Rock Hudson. Elizabeth Taylor’s activism in the fight against AIDS compelled the creative industry to confront the pandemic and become an important voice in the fight against global health pandemics.
The African continent, and especially South Africa, has been severely impacted by the HIV pandemic for decades. It is this intersection of causes that Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe, a medical doctor, businesswoman and philanthropist, cares about: activism and social good, enhanced by the creative industry. The amfAR Gala, a must-attend event during the Cannes Film Festival, represents this juncture. It brings together business, philanthropists, celebrities, filmmakers, and fashion lovers (an industry many see to be frivolous), making a sizeable contribution to the fight against HIV/Aids.
2013’s Cinema Against AIDS Gala, the 20th anniversary of the event, centred around the theme of gold as a tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, who loved the colour. A precious metal, gold evokes both awe and humbling sentiments across Africa.
Curated by former French Vogue editor, Carine Roitfeld, The Ultimate Gold Collection was paraded by 38 of the world’s top models, including Karolina Kurkova, Heidi Klum, Joan Smalls, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Guests included Aishwarya Rai, Sharon Stone, Dame Shirley Bassey, Leonardo Di Caprio, Nicole Kidman and Kylie Minogue and Rosario Dawson. The collection comprises gold-toned garments from leading brands, including Gucci, Armani, Chanel, Prada, Dior, Burberry, and Tom Ford.
It was at this event that Dr Moloi-Motsepe acquired the Ultimate Gold Collection and brought it to Africa.
A sneak preview of The Ultimate Gold Collection will be seen for the first time at Cape Town Fashion Week until March 25, 2023. The exhibition marks the beginning of what will be the AFI Museum of Art, where the entire collection and other items collected around the African continent and across the globe, will be displayed for the public to enjoy, engage with, and learn more about the world of art.
