Carine Roitfeld's CR Runway joins AmfAR Fund to Fight Covid-19 for YouTube benefit show

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Apr 29, 2020

Carine Roitfeld and her son and business partner, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, are repurposing their second-ever CR Runway show to contribute to Covid-19 relief efforts, partnering with AmfAR to turn the show into a fashion benefit set to stream on YouTube. 

Hosted by Derek Blasberg, head of fashion and beauty partnerships at YouTube, the virtual fashion show and behind-the-scenes event - titled 'Against Covid-19: Fashion Unites' - will stream worldwide on May 1 at 8 p.m. GMT, with the intent of raising awareness for the fundraising and research efforts of the AmfAR Fund to Fight Covid-19.

AmfAR, an international nonprofit dedicated to AIDS and HIV research and prevention, announced the launch of its Covid-19 fund on April 10. While opening itself up to give assistance during the pandemic, the organization emphasized that it remains committed to HIV/AIDS research, and that funds donated to the organization for HIV/AIDS research will not be diverted to the Covid-19 fund. 

The 30-minute special, created by Carine Roitfeld and directed by Fabien Constant, will feature models wearing looks pulled from their own wardrobes and styled remotely by Carine Roitfeld. In addition, the event will feature appearances by stars including Kim Kardashian West, Hailey Bieber, Adriana Lima, Diane von Fürstenberg, Halima Aden, Virgil Abloh, Alexander Wang, Winnie Harlow, Irina Shayk, Maria Grazia Chiuri, Heron Preston, Miss Fame and more. 

All those involved in the event will be making their contributions pro-bono, and participants including Carine Roitfeld and CR have made personal monetary donations to the fund, in order to kickstart the show's charitable momentum. 

“As we face times of great uncertainty, our support for one another is more important than ever," Carine Roitfeld said.

"Embracing fashion as the creative expression through which to support the health and safety of our  global communities, we hope this show can offer a small moment of hope, inspiration, and uplifting connection. A modest contribution as our world unites to collectively weather the storm of this pandemic together."
 
“AmfAR is uniquely positioned to contribute to the all-out effort to develop effective treatments for the coronavirus,” said AmfAR CEO, Kevin Robert Frost.

“There is no doubt we can do this and remain fully committed to HIV research and to finding a cure for the 38 million people worldwide who are living with HIV – that commitment hasn’t changed.”