Saint Tropez hosts Dicaprio's charity gala

Since 2014 the vineyard, to the south west of Saint Tropez town, has hosted this spectacular event that not only raising funds for the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation, but bringing together some of the money-makers and celebrities from the world of film and music entertainment. Including the man himself, Oscar winning actor Leonardo Dicaprio.

Established in 1998, the Leonardo Dicaprio Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to raising environmental awareness. It focuses mainly on global warming, conserving the Earth's biodiversity and promoting renewable energy, however the foundation is concerned with all areas of the environment. It has worked on projects in over 40 countries and has produced two short web documentaries, “Water Planet” and “Global Warning”.

Last year’s gala raise over $40 Million to help the Foundation. A live auction was held at the event, which was opened by Leo himself offering up several personal items. Raising almost $2 million, these items included his Rolex watch, and Andy Warhol and Bansky artworks from his personal collection.

Also up for auction in 2015 was a fabulous collection of luxury items, fine art and once-in-a-lifetime-experiences, including:

• Ownership of an estate home on Leonardo DiCaprio’s own Belize island, Blackadore Caye, sold to Tom Barrack for over $11 Million. This was the first and only time that a private estate home was offered for auction on Blackadore Caye, which is being established as the world’s greenest island resort. The remaining 45 estates will be offered by private invitation only.
• HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco donated several once-in-a-lifetime experiences to the auction, offering to accompany the winning bidder on each: An arctic expedition, which sold for more than $1.6 Million, and private diving at Monaco’s unique protected Larvotto Marine Reserve, which raised over $400,000.
• A private concert with Elton John sold twice for a total of $3 million.
• A limited re-edition of Rodin’s “The Thinker,” made in connection with the Rodin Museum using iconic sculpture’s original cast, sold for nearly $2 Million.
• Movie producer Harvey Weinstein donated a stunning collection of experiences, offering to have the winning bidder be his personal guest at the most coveted events in the world for an entire year. This included access to the Academy Awards, screenings and events at the Cannes Film Festival, the Met Gala, and White House Correspondents Dinner, a visit to a Weinstein Company movie set, and more. The package raised $1.1 Million.
• A painting by Rudolf Stingel sold to Len Blavatnikfor $900,000. Mr. Blavatnik spent over $2 Million on the night in the auctions.

Elton John performed some of his iconic hits, although the performance was an unplanned surprise, and Grammy Award winner John Legend also did a special performance.

Supporters who attended last year’s gala included Event Chairs HRH Albert II Prince of Monaco, Boris F.J. Collardi, CEO of Presenting Sponsor Julius Baer, the leading Swiss private banking group, Marion Cotillard, Phillipe Cousteau, Kate Hudson, Sir Elton John and David Furnish, and Caroline Scheufele, as well as many more guests.

This year’s gala will be on the 20th July 2016 and is sure to be a star-studded event. We look forward to hearing how much is raised and what 'priceless' items and experiences are auctioned this year.