BALMAIN TO AUCTION OFF 2018 MET GALA LOOKS TO BENEFIT (RED)

Olivier Rousteing, creative director of historic Parisian fashion house, Balmain, has announced that he and his guests that attended the 2018 Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, will auction off their custom pieces to raise money and awareness for (RED)’s fight to end AIDS.

The one-of-a-kind, custom Balmain designs for Rousteing’s guests including Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, Natalia Vodianova, Trevor Noah, Natasha Poly, Juliette Binoche and Julia Stegner, debuted on the renowned Metropolitan Museum red carpet las night, Monday May 7. Each of the outfits will be auctioned on IfOnly, the leading experiences platform, at IfOnly.com/RED with net proceeds going to the Global Fund to support the fight to end AIDS. From now until Monday, May 21, fashion fans can bid to win an extraordinary design worn by a Balmain Army member.

“The numbers are shocking. Today, there are over 16 million children worldwide who have lost a parent to AIDS,” said Rousteing. “Most of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is the largest killer of adults. That hits close to home. Having spent my earliest years in an orphanage, there are few things that can affect me as much as the struggles of a vulnerable child. Learning about (RED)’s impressive record of educating, empowering and protecting people through the Global Fund’s programs has helped make it clear to me that if we truly want to change this situation, we have the power to do that. Every day, (RED)’s efforts help to ensure that fewer children lose their parents to AIDS and that fewer babies are born with HIV—which is why I am dedicated to doing anything that I can to help (RED) and its essential work.”

To date, (RED) has generated more than $500 million for the Global Fund, which fights AIDS in Africa, by partnering with some of the most iconic business to create products and experiences. (RED) is thrilled that this auction will bring the heat and energy of Olivier’s creativity and the Met Gala to fight a disease that is preventable and treatable through medication that costs just 20 cents a day in sub-Saharan Africa.

“We’re grateful to Olivier & Balmain for using their iconic fashion spotlight to shine a light on the fight against AIDS,” added Deborah Dugan, (RED)’s CEO. “This leadership, creativity and breathtaking design that will now help provide lifesaving HIV medication to protect more children, and their parents, from being impacted by this preventable, treatable disease.”

Snapchat is sharing its support for this auction collaboration by creating a custom (RED) Filter available at the Met Ball, and curating special Our Story coverage of the Met Ball that will drive Snapchatters worldwide to IfOnly.com/RED. Snapchatters can follow (RED) for a behind-the-scenes look at the evening by subscribing to the official @RED account on Snapchat. With Snapchat Stories now being available everywhere, (RED) will use this content across their platforms to drive awareness of the auction and the fight to end AIDS.

Bidders can find the details for each piece, and learn more about Rousteing’s inspirations for the designs at ifOnly.com/RED.