Salma Hayek, Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio and More Raise Millions at A-List Packed Kering Dinner

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As a woman who has reached the milestone of her 40s, I can wholeheartedly relate to the importance of open conversations about menopause. For decades, this topic has been shrouded in silence and misunderstanding, making it difficult for many women to navigate this challenging phase of life with grace and confidence. It’s heartening to see that the tide is finally changing, and we are starting to break free from the stigma surrounding menopause.

Distinguished clients passionate about luxury brand conglomerate Kering’s high-end labels interacted with A-list Hollywood celebrities on Monday evening at the third yearly “Caring for Women” Dinner hosted by the Kering Foundation, an event aimed at gathering funds for NGOs dedicated to eliminating all forms of female abuse. Despite the 81st Venice Film Festival wrapping up and both the Toronto International Film Festival and New York Fashion Week in full motion, the stars graced Kering’s glamorous gathering held at The Grill + The Pool within New York’s Seagram Building.

multiple attendees have already shown a clear dedication towards the night’s focus – uplifting and strengthening women: “Anyone who glances at my Instagram or any speech I’ve ever delivered knows how deeply I feel about eliminating all forms of gender violence in our society,” Jessica Chastain shared with The Hollywood Reporter. “It causes pain, it harms our planet, and it undermines everything that makes us human. Therefore, I am thrilled to be participating in this event. Though it’s only the third year, last year they managed to collect $3 million, which I find incredibly impressive.

Beyond Jessica Chastain, other attendees were Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, Katy Perry, Julianne Moore, Bart Freundlich, Matthew McConaughey, and Camila Alves (who also served as co-hosts for the evening). These renowned figures came together to contribute towards a noble cause once more, with an aim of collecting approximately $3 million. This money would be distributed among three charitable organizations: Girl Effect, which offers educational resources to young females in African nations and other regions worldwide, empowering them to create better lives; It’s On Us, a movement that encourages student-led initiatives to combat sexual assault on college campuses; and the National Network to End Domestic Violence, an association comprising over 2,000 U.S.-based organizations working at various levels to support women and families affected by domestic violence.

Ricky Martin established his self-titled foundation in 2004, sharing similar values with the honored organizations at Monday’s ceremony. “I believe it’s crucial to back initiatives that uplift women,” he told THR, “and through my own foundation, I understand the importance of collaborating with others.” For a long time, he has been working towards combating human trafficking and, given his experience with victims of this crime, mainly women. Initially, his foundation’s focus was on children, but now it extends to human rights in general. Tonight, he is here to observe these organizations’ strategies because he believes there is much to learn from them, and they can mutually benefit by sharing ideas. That’s one of the advantages of events like this.

Naomi Watts was among the style highlights of the night in a stunning strapless Balenciaga gown. She joined all the stars decked out in Kering-owned labels, including Chastain in Gucci, Martin in Bottega Veneta and Kardashian in the Molded Wet Dress from Balenciaga’s Summer 2024 collection. In 2022, Watts launched Stripes, a beauty and wellness collection of science-based products designed to assist women in all phases of menopause. “I am working to better the health and wellness of women during the menopausal phase of their lives, so when I was asked to attend, it was a no-brainer,” she explained to THR. “There’s no tolerance for violence against women in this world, and this kind of gathering, though it feels small and intimate, it’s the kind that will be effective and will move the needle.”

Was Watts not entirely taken aback by the overwhelmingly positive response she garnered after the debut of Stripes and her subsequent high-profile discourses on women’s physical and mental health concerns during their 40s and 60s? “I’m delighted it’s been so well-received, but I’m also not overly surprised,” she stated. “For decades, we’ve needed to address this topic, and it has long remained the last taboo subject. Discussing menopause openly was necessary.

As a star-struck attendee at the charity event, I found myself surrounded by industry titans like Jeff Bezos and Jonathan Tisch, alongside fashion icons such as Salma Hayek Pinault and Kerry Washington. The room buzzed with stories from Hollywood, Fashion Week, and beyond. Salma, married to François-Henri Pinault, Kering’s CEO, dazzled in a custom black Gucci gown adorned with a Boucheron high-jewelry necklace, a stunning piece requiring over 5,000 hours of meticulous craftsmanship. Kerry Washington, resplendent in a beaded Bottega Veneta gown, couldn’t help but share her delight over the positive response to her segment with Kamala Harris’ nieces during the Democratic National Convention. “It was such a fun and joyful moment,” she told The Hollywood Reporter, “and people still tell me it was one of their favorites. I’m just glad I could be a part of it.

Martin shared that he’ll be attending the Emmy Awards on Sunday night to support his fellow cast members from the “Palm Royale” and applaud the AppleTV+ show’s remarkable impact on the ceremony. “We’ve received 11 nominations!” he exclaimed, flashing a wide smile. “I think that’s simply fantastic. But with Carol Burnett as part of our team, and Kaia Gerber pouring her heart into the narrative, everything fits together so wonderfully. I’m thrilled that we have various generations collaborating on a show that families can gather to watch, with an entertaining plotline. It’s truly delightful,” he added, mentioning that “Palm Royale” has already claimed one Emmy, with Jeff Toyne winning the award for outstanding original main title theme music at the Creative Arts Emmys.

After an extravagant dinner and auction offering a variety of high-end items and experiences from brands like Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent, Pomellato, and more, the event concluded with a captivating performance by British artist Raye. The evening seamlessly combined elements of philanthropy, fashion, and entertainment, achieving its primary objective: to generate awareness and crucial funds for women at all stages of life. “Gender-based violence transcends borders, cultures, and socioeconomic status,” stated Kering CEO Pinault on Monday night. “It negatively impacts the lives of countless women daily and threatens the very essence of our shared humanity. At the Kering Foundation, we are convinced that persistent action is essential when addressing gender-based violence, particularly in preventing such incidents. The eradication of violence passed down through generations lies at the core of the Kering Foundation’s mission.

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2024-09-10 23:55