video transcript

A-listers descended on a black carpet in New York on Wednesday (February 06) for the annual amfAR gala, the Foundation for AIDS Research. The black-tie event has become one of the city's most successful AIDS benefits since it first launched in 1998. This year it was fashion designer and amfAR chair Kenneth Cole, U.S. singer Janet Jackson and German super model Heidi Klum who received honours on the night. The event's raised nearly $13 million (USD) for AIDS research, but according to Klum, this is not enough. SOUNDBITE: Heidi Klum, model, saying (English): "AIDS is still around. It has been for a long time. I am a mom of four and obviously I want them to find a cure and I want my children to live and healthy life. And I want the people who are ill to get cured. It's important. It's important that we all help each other and stick up for each other." The benefit also kicks off New York Fashion Week, with the city's mayor Michael Bloomberg officially signalling the start to the 5-day-event. Naturally this draws in the who's who in fashion circles, including fashionista and "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker. Kicking off this Thursday (February 7), Fashion week will take place at Lincoln Center and other venues around the city until February 14.