• 24 November 2012

UAE-based philanthropic organisation, Dubai Cares, and global development and aid agency, Oxfam, have revealed that the red "Valentino  for the GCC" gown worn to the 2012 Oscars by Livia Firth will be auctioned during this year’s ‘One Night to Change Lives’ charity event hosted by Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) on December 14, 2012.  

Handmade specifically in line with Livia’s groundbreaking Green Carpet Challenge, which mixes glamour and ecologically intelligent design to bring sustainable style to the biggest red carpet events around the world, the dress was formed using recycled polyester from plastic bottles. Worn by Livia at the 2012 Academy Awards ceremony and designed by the innovative Valentino duo of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, the stunning red gown offers the chance to own a unique piece of fashion history.  

The exclusive auction package will also include a chance to spend a day with renowned editor of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani, and her team at the Vogue headquarters in Milan as well as two nights’ accommodation in the luxurious splendor of the Armani Hotel in Milan.

Livia, who will be attending the gala evening with her husband, Academy Award winner Colin Firth, said: “It’s great to be involved and raise money for wonderful charities like Oxfam and Dubai Cares.”

The couple who are Global Ambassadors for Oxfam, will be among the many international celebrity attendees including actress and fashion icon Kristin Davis who has travelled extensively with Oxfam, Rooney Mara, Amr Waked and Ali Mostafa.

Livia’s unique ‘Green Carpet Challenge’ package is one of more than a dozen high quality items that will be auctioned at the charity event. Other highlights include a once in a lifetime experience donated by Oxfam Ambassador Scarlett Johansson to see her perform in the opening night of Broadway’s ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof’ as well as a meet and greet opportunity with the Hollywood star, two return business class flights to New York and two nights’ accommodation at The London NYC hotel.

In addition, the Farjam Collection, one of the most impressive privately-owned collections in the world today, has donated an oil on canvas painting, ‘Lute Player and Horse in green’, by Nasser Ovissi for the auction. Ovissi is one of Iran’s most successful and renowned contemporary artists, whose artwork is held in major international collections and has been awarded numerous international art prizes such as the Grand Prix of Monaco. 

Also included in the auction will be a beautiful Chopard 18 carat rose gold and stainless steel watch; an Ecological Fairtrade and Fairmined certified 18 carat white gold ring and earrings set from the award winning fine jeweller Anna Loucah; and ‘Allure of Arabia’, a unique pendant created by renowned jewellery designer Kholoud Osama Kurdi. All proceeds from the high-end auction will go to Dubai Cares and Oxfam.   

There will also be the opportunity to pledge on a vital project from Dubai Cares and Oxfam in rural Tanzania to improve access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and hygiene promotion for approximately 15,000 school children living in 25 communities. The project recognises that clean water and sanitation in schools are critical to ensure that children complete their education.

The evening will also feature an exclusive raffle. Highlights from the raffle include a limited edition collectible Hans Solo statue signed by George Lucas that depicts Harrison Ford’s iconic character in Star Wars: A New Hope and week’s stay in a luxury St Tropez villa on the beautiful French Riviera.

Tickets to the exclusive event are limited. To purchase tickets, please contact Urban Events on: +971 4 445 6842, [email protected] or visit www.onenighttochangelives.com 

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