On Thursday night, around 500 people, including Catherine Deneuve, Kristin Scott Thomas, Azzedine Alaïa, Isabelle Huppert, and Lily-Rose Depp, turned up dressed to the nines for the 15th annual Sidaction dinner benefiting AIDS research. In an exception to the rule, the event was held inside the Grand Palais, a central location that drew a good number, among them first-timers such as jewelry designer Michal Kadar of the New York–based brand Cadar.
Julie de Libran, the artistic director of Sonia Rykiel, wore a flowing black knit flecked with strass. “I’m always trying my dresses on the models, it’s the first time I get to wear it myself,” she quipped.
In his opening comments, Pierre Bergé, the president of Sidaction, paid tribute to the late Sonia Rykiel before taking a decidedly more political tack than in past years. Noting that despite victories small and large, much remains to be done, he also announced that in 15 years the Sidaction dinner has raised over 9 million euros for AIDS research and outreach programs.
“We in the fashion world are not like everyone else. Designers are more sensitive than other people to the world around them and the happiness and sorrows of others,” he noted. “It is our duty to never give up, because [the fight] is, above all, about the right to live, to do what you want with your own body, to love, and build our world, where everyone can decide for themselves what their life will be. Fighting AIDS is about fighting a disease, but it’s also a fight for women’s rights, gay rights, and freedom. And we want the world to be free. We don’t want a world where public officials decide what you should do with your body. We want to control our own life. I’ve always said that the fight against AIDS is a political one. At Sidaction we defend those values. Being here tonight is about fighting discrimination against women, skin color, religion, age, nationality, difference, or sexual orientation. We will resist nationalists and homophobia. Extend a hand, just as you always have done.”
Chanel ambassador Caroline de Maigret, commented: “You could just feel the emotion in the room. We’re moving into a world where tolerance and generosity are not really at the top of the agenda. Now is the time we have to stand up and mobilize even more. When people ask me who my idols are, I always cite activists who devote their time and careers to others. It’s inspiring and fascinating, I dream of doing the same.” (To that end, she is involved with UN Women.)
Offered Jean Paul Gaultier, as Anna Cleveland settled on his knee: “Besides showing up and raising as much money as possible, this is the perfect time to reconnect with people who are hard to catch up with. There’s a joie de vivre in the room that makes you want to do whatever you can to see that others live, too. By the way, may I just say that the condom is the best clothing in the world, voilà. My rendition of the Madonna song is, ‘Protect yourself!’ ”
“It’s so very important to keep fighting,” said Isabel Marant, as she hedged toward the exit. She couldn’t make this one a late night: Not only does she have a handful of stores opening imminently, like so many others at the dinner, she also has a show coming up in . . . five weeks or so.