CANNES - Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone has managed to collect a record $7 million for AIDS research at a glitzy function which took place late on Wednesday at the Cannes festival.
Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Elle MacPherson, Matt Damon, Maggie Cheung, Dita Von Teese, Michelle Yeoh, Catherine Deneuve, Kylie Minogue and Carla Bruni were the leading lights present at this do, which had an overall attendance of 700.
Other notable persons were Jean-Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli, Ivana Trump as well as producer Harvey Weinstein. Last year the same function collected $4 million. Sharon Stone acted as auctioneer as amfaR founder Elizabeth Taylor had to cancel because of health issues.
"You have no idea of the good that you've done, or the difference that you've made," Stone said, as she started off by selling a vanity case for $95,000. Actor George Clooney joined Stone on stage and his role began by auctioning a one-week cruise on a yacht.
The cruise was eventually sold for $375,000 with a Clooney kiss as a bonus.
Dita Von Teese performed a nice little Burlesque dance and later admitted she was nervous to be showing off before the virtual who's who of Hollywood. "I am a little bit nervous about my performance but it's good to be nervous. It's a classic striptease, 1950 cowgirl style. I'll be riding the lipstick but I can't think of a better way to put out the message (about safe sex) than to ride it," she added.
