In late November at Sotheby’s in New York, a standing-room only crowd helped raise more than $26 million for The Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. The star-studded audience gathered for The (RED) Auction celebrating design and innovation, which had been curated by Sir Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson in collaboration with musician and activist Bono. The sale exceeded all expectations totaling more than $13 million, which was matched by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The high-energy salesroom saw a remarkable three lots bring more than $1.5 million, including the two items designed in their entirety by Jony and Marc – a unique Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera, which sold for $1.8 million and a unique aluminum desk produced by Neal Feay Studio, which brought $1.7 million.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: (L-R) Marc Newson, Bono and Jony Ive attend Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for (RED))
Throughout the evening, the crowd of more than 1,000 guests, including The Edge, Chelsea Clinton, Helena Christensen, Meg Ryan, Jenna and Barbara Bush, Hayden Panettiere, Larry Gagosian, Dieter Rams, Gayle King, and Mario Batali, was treated to a number of spectacular surprises: before auctioneer Oliver Barker opened bidding on lot 12, the Steinway & Sons unique
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Chelsea Clinton attends Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for (RED))
“Red Pops for (RED)” Parlor Grand Piano, Coldplay’s Chris Martin took to the stage to sing ‘Perfect Day’ and ‘Beautiful Day’ with Bono. The performance inspired more than a dozen bidders to compete for the piano, which was finally won by philanthropist Stewart Rahr for $1.9 million.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: The Edge attends Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for (RED))
Later in the evening, lot 23, the Azzedine Alaïa pink couture long ruffle dress, was revealed in the salesroom worn by supermode Christy Turlington before it sold to applause for $149,000. The final surprise of the evening came at the end of the auction when the Gretsch Electromatic “(RED) Zero Generation” Bono “Signature” Guitar was added to the auction and sold for $250,000.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Actress Hayden Panettiere attends Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for (RED))
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Jenna Bush Hager (L) and Barbara Bush attend Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for (RED))
After the final fall of the hammer, guests made their way to Sotheby’s spectacular 10th floor galleries to be entertained at the after party by Nile Rodgers and Chic, as well as Angelique Kidjo.
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Courtney Love attends Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for (RED))
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Model Helena Christensen attends Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for (RED))
Here’s the gossip:
During the auction, Chris Martin joined Bono onstage for two surprise performances including “Beautiful Day” utilizing a Steinway Parlor Grand “Model A” piano from auction lot #12. The performance raised the final price of the piano to a winning bid of $1,925,000.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Gina Gershon attends the VIP Reception at Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for (RED))
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Missy Brody (L) and Salman Rushdie attend the VIP Reception at Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for (RED))
Actress Hayden Panettiere mentioned that she was particularly interested in auction lot #14 which consisted of a Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera. The camera ended up selling with a winning bid of $1,805,000.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Bono (L) and Chris Martin perform onstage during Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for (RED))
Jenna Bush Hager was overheard congratulating Bono on the (RED) Auction’s success in the VIP room of the after-party. Bush Hager was in great spirits and was inseparable from her sister for most of the evening.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Christy Turlington (R) onstage during Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for (RED))
Leonardo DiCaprio made a surprise visit to the (RED) Auction after-party, keeping a low profile in an overcoat and news-boy cap. He was joined by Victoria Secret model and girlfriend Toni Garrn.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: Christy Turlington attends Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for (RED))
Courtney Love was glowing in a skin tight Herve Leger dress. She was in good spirits seen mingling with auction guests.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 23: (L-R) Niles Rodgers, Bono, Angelique Kidjo and The Edge perform onstage at the After Party for Jony And Marc’s (RED) Auction at Sotheby’s on November 23, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for (RED))
Meg Ryan kept a low profile, dressed casually in black, seen previewing some of the key auction items.
