Duran Duran and Bond-Girl Fashions Headline AmfAR Gala Cannes

Duran Duran, whose hits include “A View to a Kill” for the 1985 James Bond movie of the same name, are the headline act at the 31st edition of amfAR Gala Cannes, scheduled for May 22 during the film festival.

Cue a fashion show curated by Carine Roitfeld that will riff on the famous spy movie franchise via snappy tuxedoes by Dsquared2 and GCDS, and femme fatale gowns from the likes of Louis Vuitton, Jacquemus, Richard Quinn, Elie Saab and Rick Owens.

Other participating fashion houses include Alaïa, Ami Paris, Atsuko Kudo, Balenciaga, Chanel, Courrèges, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Duran Lantink, LaQuan Smith, Loewe, Miu Miu, Nina Ricci, North Face x Skims, Off-White, Prada, Saint Laurent, Skims, Valentino and Yanina Couture.

“I think it’s the right moment to talk about the James Bond girl — the nice ones and the mean ones,” Roitfeld said. “It’s certainly going to be a sexy show.”

The French stylist and fashion entrepreneur, who has already masterminded 15 fashion shows for the annual charity event, said the theme for the 31st edition came to her immediately after last year’s gala, given that there have already been 25 Bond films — and a new one is expected in 2027.

Count on DJ Michel Gaubert to sample snippets of the famous theme music — and models to strike Bond girl poses. Roitfeld conscripted movement director Eric Christison so each can play a different character.

Asked about her favorite Bond girl, Roitfeld cited Swiss actress Ursula Andress, who famously emerged from the sea in the 1962 film “Dr. No” with a knife mounted on the belt of her ivory bikini bottoms. A runner-up would be Grace Jones, who deftly played the villain May Day in “A View to a Kill.”

Incidentally, Sean Connery remains the ultimate James Bond for Roitfeld. “He’s everything we like — tall, sexy, smart, a great smile and a sense of humor,” she enthused, also casting a vote for Henry Cavill, widely mooted to take over for Daniel Craig as the next Bond.

Despite the Ian Fleming character’s apparent penchant for martinis that are shaken, not stirred, Roitfeld said her daughter got her hooked on a dirty martini that comes pre-mixed in a little can. “It’s fabulous,” she enthused about the British concoction.

The exclusive black-tie event at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc spans cocktails, a seated dinner, plus a live auction of luxury goods, artworks and one-of-a-kind experiences led by renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury, with proceeds benefiting amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

The special dresses and tuxes paraded are also auctioned off during the event. 

The annual fundraiser will be hosted by “Empire” and “Hidden Figures” actress Taraji P. Henson.

“AIDS is far from over and we must continue to stand together and support the lifesaving research that is our best hope of finally ending this deadly pandemic,” Henson said.

Duran Duran performed at the 2013 amfAR Gala Cannes, and their gig on May 22 will be the band’s only live show in France this year. (Its European summer tour includes stops across the U.K., Ireland, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Germany and Spain.)

“We are so excited to have the iconic Duran Duran back with us at amfAR Gala Cannes and we are grateful for their longstanding support of our work,” Kevin Robert Frost, chief executive officer of amfAR, commented.

Chairs of this year’s gala include Pedro Almodóvar, Angela Bassett, Odell Beckham Jr., Halle Berry, Len Blavatnik, Adrien Brody, Ron Burkle, Marion Cotillard, Tom Cruise, Colman Domingo, Alessandro Dusi, Laurence Escalante, David Glasser, Paris Jackson, Milla Jovovich, Heidi Klum, Spike Lee, Julian Lennon, Demi Moore, Coco Rocha, Caroline Scheufele, Russell Wilson, Ciara, Jeffrey Wright, Michelle Yeoh, amfAR Trustee Vin Roberti, amfAR board member Tony Mancilla and amfAR board co-chairs T. Ryan Greenawalt and Kevin McClatchy.

One of the most coveted tickets of the international film festival, amfAR Gala Cannes has raised $297 million for lifesaving AIDS research programs.

AmfAR supports AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education and advocacy. Since 1985, amfAR has raised more than $920 million in support of its programs and has awarded more than 3,800 grants to research teams worldwide.

The late Elizabeth Taylor, amfAR’s founding international chairman, hosted the first amfAR Gala Cannes in 1993.