Donatella Versace will stage this year’s fashion show at the annual Life Ball, one of Europe’s largest AIDS charity events. The Red Ribbon gala, dedicated to raising funds for people infected with HIV and AIDS, will be held on May 21 at Vienna City Hall. The Life Ball, first organised by independent non-profit organisation Aids Life in 1993, this year plans to top its previous proceeds.
"We want to give the event a new look, to create new excitement," Versace told AP on Thursday. "We can barely wait to reach our shared goal — $1.3 million — purely in proceeds for the Life Ball 2005."
The first part of Life Ball, known for the extravagant costumes of the thousands of guests, traditionally features the official opening and a special fashion show by an internationally renowned fashion designer.
“The Versace company has watched the development of Life Ball carefully over the past years and the interest of an active participation at this important Aids Charity Event also existed in the past. Today, Donatella Versace has confirmed not only this year’s participation but also her personal involvement and help”, says Gery Keszler, organizer of the event. “Versace will definitely influence Life Ball. The audience can expect a high energy 30 minutes fashion show on highest standard, definitely trend-setting and no view back to the past.” explains Keszler.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Aids Life and participating in Life Ball 2005,” said Donatella Versace. “As the largest aids fundraising event in Europe, the awareness created through Life Ball is extraordinary and essential. We are eager to add a new look and a new excitement to the event and can't wait to reach our goal of raising more than one million Euro. Its going to be an amazing night!”
A close friend to Donatella Versace, singer Elton John, is the most important partner of the event and its regular guest. Other couturiers, who presented their fashion shows on the Life Ball catwalk in the past years were Gianfranco Ferré, Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler, Paco Rabanne, Vivienne Westwood, Moschino, Missoni and other.