Press release
Once again, Chopard co-sponsored the 20th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish which included a live auction raising nearly $5.25 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS and an electrifying performance by Foster the People.
The exclusive private gala took place on Sunday, February 26 at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles. Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Karolina Kurkova, Nina Dobreva, Brooklyn Decker, Lucy Punch, Caroline Scheufele and Marc Hruschka, Chopard USA President & CEO were some of the guests who sparkled in Chopard. Stars and luminaries in attendance included Academy Award winning Jean Dujardin, Steven Tyler, Gwen Stefani, with her band No Doubt, Quincy Jones, Heidi Klum, Katy Perry, Kim & Kourtney Kardashian, Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer, Neil Patrick Harris, Smokey Robinson, Matthew Morrison, Chace Crawford, Ian Somerhalder, Adam Lambert, Alessandra Ambrosio, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Jessica Lowndes, Mischa Barton, Billie Jean King, Dianna Argon & Sebastian Stan, Dita von Teese, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Liam Hemsworth, Mena Suvari, Michelle Rodriguez, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Henstridge, Natasha Bedingfield, Paz Vega, Petra Nemcova, Sarah Hyland, Sky Ferreira, Kelly Osbourne and Ziyi Zhang among many others.
Guests arrived at the Academy Awards Viewing Party for cocktails followed by a gala dinner and viewing of the 84th Academy Awards® telecast. This year, Chef Cat Cora, the first and only female Iron Chef on The Food Network's “Iron Chef America,” prepared an exquisite 5-course meal for guests. The dinner was followed by a lively auction conducted by Jamie Nivens of Sotheby's. Just before the auction, Sir Elton John and David Furnish gracefully thanked Caroline Scheufele for her continued generosity and support towards the Foundation.
Auction items included a limited edition diamond Elton John watch by Chopard which was sold twice, both for $28,000, a tennis lesson with 10 time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal that sold for $190,000 twice; an in-home cooking class for up to ten people with Chef Cat Cora which sold for $100,000 to Steve Tisch, owner of the NFL champion New York Giants; the opportunity to join Elton John and David Furnish at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party that sold for $230,000 and a surprise auction lot – a bite from “Vampire Diaries” stars Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerholder, set visit to the show and lunch with Elton John and David Furnish went for $80,000.
Following the auction, Foster the People took the stage to perform several songs including their hits “Pumped Up Kicks”, “Helena Beat” and “Don't Stop (Color on the Walls)” much to the crowds delight.
The HIV/AIDS virus was first observed by physicians in American patients 30 years ago and while tremendous strides have been made in our understanding of this terrible disease, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done and many challenges to overcome. Twenty years ago, Sir Elton John pledged to the Hollywood community that he would hold this event every year until a cure for HIV/AIDS had been found. Today, the Hollywood community is still standing with Sir Elton John, showing their support for the Foundation and this worthy cause. Chopard is proud to support the Elton John AIDS Foundation on this worthy cause.
About Chopard and the EJAF
When Chopard Co-President, Caroline Scheufele, first met Sir Elton John 13 years ago, he suggested she play an active role within the foundation. This encounter marked the start of a lasting friendship and a brilliant creative cooperation. The world-famous Artist and the Scheufele family, owners of Chopard, united their talents in creating the Elton John watch collection, a line reflecting the singer's exceptional sense of style and from which a percentage of sales is donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. In addition to this collection, Chopard supports the Foundation via the Academy Awards Viewing Party and is once again deeply honored to support the EJAF as official partner of the 20th Annual Academy Awards Viewing Party.
For more information visit www.chopard.com
