Gala dinner in Dubai

The Dubai International Film Festival laid out the red carpet last night for a star-studded charity gala in aid of Dubai Cares and Oxfam. Over US $500,000 was raised as an array of treasured celebrity items and experiences went up for auction at the One Night to Change Lives charity event held at Dubai’s Armani Hotel.  Stars including Colin Firth and his wife Livia, Kristin Davis, Rooney Mara and Freida Pinto attended the second annual gala, which was held under the patronage of UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Colin Firth, one of the organisation’s most highly-respected campaigners for over a decade, said in his speech to attendees: “Oxfam works hard to provide children in need access to basic education and around 6.4 million people are extremely thankful to Oxfam for this. I certainly believe that poverty is man-made, and that individual lives can be changed.” Kristin Davis, another long-time supporter of Oxfam, said: “I’m very proud to be here especially when you know that donations go to children. I value what Oxfam does. I’ve travelled with them to so many countries to support projects and I’m really very proud to be here at this event to make a huge difference in children’s lives.” One auction package included 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 at the luxurious Armani Hotel in Milan. Also included in the auction was a beautiful Chopard 18 carat rose gold and stainless steel watch, an oil on canvas painting by Nasser Ovissi donated by the Farjam Collection and an Ecological Fairtrade and Fairmined certified 18 carat white gold ring and earrings set from the award winning fine jeweller Anna Loucah.