Scarlett Johansson and Donatella Versace Talk Girl Power
The pair were honored at the annual amfAR gala, which serves as the unofficial kickoff to New York Fashion Week.
For the first time in what has seemed like an eternity, the words “Donald Trump” did not come up at a fashion event.
Sure, the name “Jeff Sessions” was uttered, and there were plenty of allusions to “tough times,” but in terms of the topic du jour, the T-word was seemingly off-limits, if for one night only.
The occasion: the 19th annual amfAR Gala in New York City, the unofficial kickoff to New York Fashion Week. And, as with all of amfAR’s many galas worldwide, the topic at hand was finding a cure for AIDs—well, that and roasting Lena Dunham.
You see, Dunham had been slated to host the program, but at the last minute became sick and was unable to attend. Enter Iman.
“As you may have noticed, I’m not Lena Dunham. I know it’s hard to tell us apart,” the model deadpanned as she stepped in for brief emcee duties. “I have been on Girls but you guys haven’t seen me because I was playing a white girl.”
The crowd ate it up. Next up: Zosia Mamet and Dunham’s own mother, Laurie Simmons.
“As someone who knows Lena, I would say pretty well, I know that wearing a vintage gown and being in a room surrounded by incredibly talented gay men is basically at the center of everyone of her sex dreams, so she’s not faking,” said Mamet.
Simmons, brought it home. “I’m Laurie Simmons and I’m Lena Dunham’s mother, and contrary to what you might think, that is not a full-time job.” Ba-da-bum!
Scarlett Johansson, Donatella Versace, Paris Hilton, and More Turn Up for AmfAR
Scarlett Johansson at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Donatella Versace, and Alessandra Ambrosio at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Diane Kruger at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Paris Hilton at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Chloë Sevigny at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Naomi Campbell at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Di Mondo at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Adriana Lima at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Madison Beer at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Zoë Kravitz at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Iman at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Alan Cumming at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Maye Musk at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Andreja Pejic at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Melissa Bolona at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Patricia van der Vliet at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Ellie Goulding at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Pat Cleveland at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Barbara Palvin at amfAR’S Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Iman and Zac Posen at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Katie, Kenneth, and Emily Cole at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Ellie Goulding at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Heidi Klum, Lynn Petertonkoker, and Leticia Wala-Ntuba at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Paris Hilton at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Heidi Klum at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Jay Ellis at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Ginta Lapina at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Sofia Resing at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Hillary Rhoda at amfAR’s Annual Fashion Week New York Gala 2017.
Before the impromptu comedy routine, Dunham’s absence went virtually unnoticed, as Cipriani Wall Street filled with a crowd of recognizable faces dressed in their finest black tie ensembles. Among them: Zoë Kravitz, Mark Ruffalo, Diane Kruger, Alan Cumming, Victoria Justice, Amber Valletta, Chloë Sevigny, Alessandra Ambrosio, Liya Kibede, Maye Musk, and a whole slew of young models (a typical drawing point for Leonardo DiCaprio, who opted to skip this year’s festivities), as well as the evening’s honorees, Scarlett Johansson and Donatella Versace.
“Every fashion week always has such has such fond memories. My sister and I, since we were teenagers, would come in to all the events and dress up as twins and go to shows,” said Paris Hilton, still on the party circuit. “It’s just a lot of fun.”
Adriana Lima was equally pumped, hinting that she would be returning to the runway for Jason Wu and telling W, “I’m a mom, so that’s 24/7 stamina right there. I’m ready. I’m prepared.”
Heidi Klum, on the other hand, would be skipping fashion week altogether, and had flown in just for the gala, which she has been attending in its many widespread iterations since 2000. “My most memorable amfAR gala was my first one because I had to give Kenneth Branagh a backrub.” Come again? “I think he bought it for $50,000, and I had to give it in front of everyone then and there. He took his clothes off! And I remember he had a hairy chest…” Ba-da-bum!
This evening’s run of show was devoid of any backrubs, but nonetheless entertaining, thanks in large part to two musical performances–Aluna Francis of the pop-duo AlunaGeorge, and Ellie Goulding—and Versace’s brief, but poignant speech which, knowingly or not, veered slightly political, touching upon ulra-relevent notion of girl power.
“We’ve come a long way in the fight against AIDs, but as women, we cannot stop fighting,” Versace said. “As women, we need to do more. As women, we were born to be brave.” Donatella 2020.
A Salute to 5 Powerful Women: Jennifer Lopez, Donatella Versace, Kate Moss, Taraji P. Henson, and Jessica Chastain
Versace wears her own Versace clothing; her own ring. Beauty: Nars. Henson wears Versace top, skirt, and sandals. Beauty: MAC. Moss wears Versace dress and sandals; De Beers ring. Beauty: Decorté. Chastain wears Versace dress and sandals; Piaget ring. Beauty: Urban Decay. Lopez wears Versace jumpsuit, bra, and sandals; bracelet from Beladora, Beverly Hills; de Grisogono ring. Beauty: L’Oréal Paris.
The actress is changing notions of beauty. Read the full story here.
Chastain wears an Alexander McQueen dress.
Jennifer Lopez is impossible to pigeonhole–impossible to stop. Read the full story here.
Lopez wears a Fleur du Mal bodysuit; (right hand) Piaget rings; (left hand) Nirav Modi ring.
What makes the supermodel great? Find out in a candid interview here.
Moss wears a Gucci cardigan.
Taraji P. Henson is an actress on a mission. Read the full story here.
Henson wears a Lanvin dress.
So you want a fashion revolution? Donatella Versace is your woman. Read the full story here.
Versace wears her own Versace dress.
Watch W’s Most Popular Videos: