Hurricane Matthew devastated Haiti once again just days before the inaugural BOVET 1822 Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) Brilliant is Beautiful Fundraiser Gala event. The event took place on Sunday October 9th, raising an impressive £850,000 for Haiti and women’s education in honor of supermodel and activist Karen Elson. Held at the majestic Claridge’s hotel, BOVET 1822 was again the evening’s title sponsor as APJ’s strategic partner. The event was co-hosted by an influential team, including APJ founder and multi-Academy-Award-winning filmmaker, Paul Haggis, Alan Cumming, Petra Nemcova, Kelly Brook, Moran Atias, Caroline Stanbury.

APJ Executive Director David Belle, Actors Moran Atias and Karen Elson, and Academy-Award winning filmmaker Paul Haggis 

The Royal Chef prepared an extraordinary dinner in conjunction with Gilles Bragard, the founder of the Club des Chefs des Chefs. The event launched APJ’s new initiative “Brilliant is Beautiful,” a scholarship fund for underprivileged women and girls worldwide. Thanks to the exceptional support of BOVET 1822, APJ is able to give 100 per cent of every dollar raised directly to support health, dignity and education programs around the world. Including the funds raised in London, 8 million dollars have been raised since 2013 to benefit the APJ fund.

Caroline Stanbury and Alan Cumming 

At the gala dinner Karen Elson was presented with the first ever Brilliant is Beautiful Award, which recognizes extraordinary longstanding commitment toward activism on behalf of the poorest communities on the planet, with particular focus on promoting women’s education, human rights and leadership. A Britain native, Karen Elson has achieved the highest success in her field and has cultivated a highly respected career in music, with a second solo album to be released later this year. In 2014, Karen became an ambassador for Save the Children, and has visited the countries of Cote D’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Jordan and more to advocate for children and mothers in underserved communities worldwide.

Kelly Brook and Maxwell 

In addition to honoring Ms. Elson, the Awards Dinner helped raise vital funding for a coalition of educational programs serving some of the most needy young girls in Haiti, Kenya, Pakistan, Peru and Uganda. In Haiti, APJ’s own programs provide scholarships to over 1,500 young girls via their Academy for Peace and Justice high school and Artists Institute college. In Kenya, through Many Hopes young girls are rescued off the streets from the worst of poverty, given dignified education and poised to become local professionals and leaders. In Pakistan, Iqra Fund transforms the lives of remote rural girls previously destined to teenage marriage into the power behind their community’s new future. In Peru, Happy Hearts Fund bridges the gap from disaster to opportunity, rebuilding after their earthquake to provide a new high school helping hundred of young girls gain diplomas and autonomous stewardship over their future. And in Uganda, Hope North’s home and secondary school provides an extraordinarily supportive safe space for young women to learn and thrive.

A live auction throughout the evening, led by auctioneer Simon De Pury, helped to sell one-of-a-kind experiences that went for impressive amounts in support of the cause, including an unforgettable concert and dinner with Andrea Bocelli in his hometown, a “Rainbow Mountain Adventure” with renowned explorer Johan Ernst Nilson, an exclusive tour with legendary Donna Karan, a private dinner at the exclusive and storied Fawley Court with the Royal Chef.

Claire Forlani

Guests in attendance were treated to a lively musical performance by APJ Advisory Board member and multi Grammy Winner, Maxwell.

Additional VIPs who walked the red carpet for the event, included Claire Forlani, Dougray Scott, Jon Kortajarena, Jamie Campbell Bower, Tabitha Simmons, Zuleikha Robinson, Jeremy Parisi, Matt Goss and Gill Landry.

APJ Advisory Board member and multi Grammy Winner, Maxwell

Immediately following the devastating 2010 earthquake, APJ funded the purchase of land and construction to build Haiti’s largest and first free high school, the Academy for Peace and Justice, which serves the poorest and most deserving youth in Port-au-Prince. In 2016, the Academy reached 2800 students at full capacity and celebrated its first graduating class, giving underprivileged children the opportunity to continue their education beyond the sixth grade.

Bovet sponsored its first event supporting APJ in 2012, during which Bovet Owner Pascal Raffy was moved by the Foundation’s efforts and authenticity to sign an overwhelming 5-year commitment to APJ, pledging a donation of 1 million dollars a year. Mr. Raffy then traveled to Haiti to personally visit the school and witness the real progress being made in the community.

For more information or to donate now, visit www.apjnow.org Charitable Registration #82296 2205 RR0001.