The Most Talked-About Benefit of NYFW—Inside Caring for Women’s $4.5 Million Night

In under five minutes, last night’s Kering Foundation’s Caring for Women Dinner raised $175,000 for NGOs addressing gender-based violence against women and children. By evening’s end, the total had climbed to $4.5 million—a record for the fourth annual benefit, which grows starrier by the year. “Tonight we’re going to party like it’s 1999,” Salma Hayek Pinault told Vogue as guests, including Adrien Brody, Dakota Johnson, Kirsten Dunst, Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez Bezos, and Lenny Kravitz, filled The Pool on Park Avenue in New York. She knows that bringing real support and awareness to a serious cause sometimes means hosting one of the most talked-about events of the year.

This year, Hayek Pinault served as co-chair alongside François-Henri Pinault, Colman Domingo, Demi Moore, Dolores Huerta, Jeff Koons, Jessica Chastain, and Julianne Moore, while Ariana DeBose kept the evening moving as master of ceremonies. “All four of the organizations that we are talking about today embody respect,” said keynote speaker Diane von Furstenberg. “Sanctuary for Families connects thousands of adults and children with the services they need. FreeFrom expands beyond the moment of crisis. Violence Intervention Program inspires survivors and helps them heal. Equality Now advocates to end violence and discrimination,” she said of their collective commitment to empowering women and families. “Once in charge, we are better equipped to wield the power of kindness.”

“As soon as we start doing the auction, people step up,” said Bethann Hardison, waving to Linda Evangelista as the supermodel blew her a kiss from across the room. And she was right. Once the entrée of chicken verde was served on Ginori 1735 porcelain, auctioneer Lydia Fenet kicked off bidding with a trip to Paris and rare access to the world of Saint Laurent. A visit to the Gucci archive and a custom design had Lauren Sanchez Bezos and Jeff Bezos laughing as they outbid one another. When Fenet asked if Gucci could double the lot and offer two experiences at $210,000 each, the house agreed—Sanchez Bezos took one, and Mona Patel across the room claimed the other. A couture experience with Balenciaga was similarly doubled for two bidders at $170,000 apiece—another standout among the bespoke offerings from Kering’s maisons.

Then came the art: a series of laminated prints by Damien Hirst sold for $240,000, and the final lot—a mirror-polished stainless-steel work by Jeff Koons—brought in $275,000. Closing the night, FKA Twigs delivered a spellbinding performance on behalf of Sistah Space. “Thank you so much for standing with survivors together,” said François-Henri Pinault from the stage. “We will not look away. We will not give up, and we will not stop until every woman and every child is safe to live the life they love.”