A-listers descended on a black carpet in New York on Wednesday (February 06) for the annual amfAR gala, the Foundation for AIDS Research.<br/> <br />The black-tie event has become one of the city's most successful AIDS benefits since it first launched in 1998.<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />The event's raised nearly $13 million (USD) for AIDS research, but according to Klum, this is not enough.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE: Heidi Klum, model, saying (English):<br/> <br />"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."<br/> <br />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.<br/> <br />Naturally this draws in the who's who in fashion circles, including fashionista and "Sex and the City" star Sarah Jessica Parker.<br/> <br />Kicking off this Thursday (February 7), Fashion week will take place at Lincoln Center and other venues around the city until February 14.
