The snow was falling for amfAR’s (The Foundation for AIDS Research) annual New York Gala, but Lady Gaga provided the real whiteout. Dressed hat to boot in white (except for her bright pink MAC lipstick), including white bikini, body paint, and pearls glued to her face and body, the Grammy-winning singer wowed the star-studded crowd with her performance of “Future Love.” The Terence Koh-designed piano was also decked out in crushed pearls and crushed MAC cosmetics (a co-sponsor of the event).

Fellow MAC Viva Glam spokesperson Cyndi Lauper, as well as MAC AIDS Fund Chairman John Demsey, introduced Gaga, after guests were treated to Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Rufus Wainwright’s performance of songs from his Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall live album.

This year’s gala, hosted by Stanley Tucci, at Cipriani 42nd Street, featured a special memorial tribute to actress and amfAR trustee Natasha Richardson, a leader in the fight against AIDS. amfAR Founding Chairman Dr. Mathilde Krim shared memories of Richardson, noting that she was “the perfect ambassador for amfAR.”
Legendary actress and Richardson’s mother, Vanessa Redgrave, spoke about her daughter’s work with amfAR dating back to the early ‘90s. Later, Meryl Streep mesmerized the sold-out crowd with an a cappella rendition of the Irish folk song, “The Parting Glass,” in memory of her friend.

Glenda Bailey and Ingrid Sischy presented amfAR Awards of Courage to Louis Vuitton President and CEO Yves Carcelle, and to Sir Elton John and David Furnish.

The event also included a live auction during which a Sharon Stone-designed Louis Vuitton vanity case sold for $19,000. Since 2000, sales of this case have generated $4.2 mil for amfAR’s programs. Francesco Vezzoli’s La Traviata (Crying Portrait of Maria Callas with a pearl earring) earned the highest bid of the night, selling for $70,000.
The 700-plus attendees at this special kickoff to Fashion Week raised $1.2 mil for AIDS research. The celebrity crowd included Alan Cumming, Sarah Ferguson, Iman, Cheyenne Jackson, Heidi Klum, Julianna Margulies, Cynthia Nixon, Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen, Joely Richardson, Diane von Furstenberg, Chloe Sevigny, Julia Stiles, Sigourney Weaver, and amfAR Chairman Kenneth Cole.

It was a truly spectacular night, with A-listers going Gaga over amfAR.