The Foundation for AIDS Research or amfAR, created in 1985 by Elizabeth Taylor, Dr. Mathilde Krim, and a small group of doctors and scientists, began with the mission to end the worldwide AIDS epidemic by funding innovative research. With the resources in place for timely response to new areas of scientific promise, amfAR is a true catalyst—pushing forward important AIDS and HIV research to pioneer real discoveries leading to major advances in the study and treatment of the disease. Since 1985, amfAR has distributed nearly $290 million in grants to research teams worldwide to support its mission. Kenneth Cole is currently Chair of the Board of amfAR.
In 2004, Carine Roitfeld began serving as chair for amfAR’s annual Cinema Against AIDS event in Cannes and continues to do so with great style. She has galvanized the fashion community to support this important event, helping to make it one of the most successful AIDS fundraisers in the world. In 2008, Roitfeld was presented with amfAR's Award of Courage sharing this honor with Julian Schnabel and Bobby Shriver for outstanding leadership and distinguished service in furthering amfAR’s mission and for playing a vital role in increasing AIDS awareness and accelerating the pace of AIDS research.
Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld believes in the great work that amfAR does as well. When he organized the show "Three Photographers" at Collective Hardware last Feburary, he donated the proceeds from the sale of one of each of the photographers’ prints to amfAR. When asked why he selected that particular charity to support, Vladimir said, "My mother has been very involved with amfAR, I know a lot about their work, and I believe in it. That was an easy choice to make."
Cinema Against AIDS afterparty at Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc Photo Credit: Jeff Vespa/WireImage.
Photograph of Carine Roitfeld and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld at Cinema Against AIDS in Cannes courtesy of amfar.org.