Party On: The amfAR Charity Poker Night Draws a Full House in S.F.
A diverse crowd of notables united for the cause at the home of Ann and Gordon Getty
Words by DIANE DORRANS SAEKS
On Friday, Nov. 15, amfAR’s second annual charity poker tournament in San Francisco brought together celebrities, tech leaders, professional players and others from the social scene to raise funds for AIDS research via hands of poker and a live auction.
Gwyneth Paltrow, in town to open a new Goop studio in Pacific Heights, made an appearance. Meanwhile, Vanessa Getty and Jon Hamm sat side by side at a poker table in the residence of Ann and Gordon Getty, who chaired the event alongside Paltrow, Hamm, Alan Cumming, Vanessa and Billy Getty, Maria Bello, Tyler Florence, Victoria Justice, Greg Louganis and Bradford Shellhammer. Getting the ball rolling for the auction, Hamm said, “I’m happy to be here to support AIDS research. And I don’t get to San Francisco often enough.”
The annual fundraiser is the brainchild of Aileen Getty, who has been involved in AIDS fundraising for over two decades. She said she was originally inspired and encouraged by her former mother-in-law, screen legend Elizabeth Taylor. “Elizabeth had great compassion and was always a champion of amfAR, which supports innovative research,” Aileen said. “We work to fund scientists, as challenges with finding new solutions continue to arise.”
Ivy Getty was dressed to the nines in a sparkling Vivienne Westwood gown; alongside her was her handsome cousin Nicholas Getty, who wore black tie; and Balthazar and Rosetta Getty flew in from L.A. with their four children. In addition to discussing philanthropy among friends, Rosetta chatted about her newly launched eco-leather clogs, boots and shoes, just released in collaboration with the Ecco footwear company.
Additional guests, like Allison Spear, Alison Harrington, Victoire Reynal Brown and Maca Huneeus, enjoyed the night’s activities, which included the live auction, portrait sittings with photographer Drew Altizer, fashion illustrations by Mokshini and consultations from renowned astrologer Susan Miller. Meanwhile, others, such as Carole Bonnie, Gina Pell, Louise and Max Armour, Heidi Fisher and Bita Daryabari, took joy in observing those who tried their luck at the tables, going toe to toe with professional poker players.
GREG LOUGANIS. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
GREG LOUGANIS. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
JON HAMM. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
JON HAMM. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
HOLLY PETERSON, JESSICA MOMENT, NORA DIAB and LINDSAY BOLTON. Photo by Drew Altizer.
HOLLY PETERSON, JESSICA MOMENT, NORA DIAB and LINDSAY BOLTON. Photo by Drew Altizer.
NICK HELFOND, B.J. WASSERMAN and STANLEE GATTI. Photo by Drew Altizer.
NICK HELFOND, B.J. WASSERMAN and STANLEE GATTI. Photo by Drew Altizer.
VICTORIA JUSTICE, CASTELLANI ALI and MADISON GUEST. Photo by Drew Altizer.
VICTORIA JUSTICE, CASTELLANI ALI and MADISON GUEST. Photo by Drew Altizer.
ALI BUTTLES. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
ALI BUTTLES. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
CAROL BONNIE and VICTOIRE REYNAL BROWN. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
CAROL BONNIE and VICTOIRE REYNAL BROWN. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
ALLISON SPEER, B.J. WASSTERMAN and VANESSA GETTY. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
ALLISON SPEER, B.J. WASSTERMAN and VANESSA GETTY. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
GORDON GETTY, AILEEN GETTY and IVY GETTY. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
GORDON GETTY, AILEEN GETTY and IVY GETTY. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
SHAHKAR BINESHPAJOOH and BITA DARYABARI.Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
SHAHKAR BINESHPAJOOH and BITA DARYABARI.Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
CHARLOTTE McKINNEY. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
CHARLOTTE McKINNEY. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
BALTHAZAR GETTY. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
BALTHAZAR GETTY. Photo by Arthur Kobin for Drew Altizer Photography.
ERIN CARLSON. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
ERIN CARLSON. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
AILEEN GETTY and ROSETTA GETTY. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
AILEEN GETTY and ROSETTA GETTY. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
ESTEE STANLEY and CADE HUDSON. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
ESTEE STANLEY and CADE HUDSON. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
CALGARY AVANSINO. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
CALGARY AVANSINO. Photo by Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography.
Feature image: GWYNETH PALTROW. Photo by Drew Altizer.