Naomi Campbell at Fashion for Relief with Jean Alesi

Naomi Campbell and Jean Alesi strut the catwalk at Cannes.

At the 64th Annual Cannes Film Festival in May, supermodel Naomi Campbell took over the historic Forville Market for her Fashion For Relief spectacular. The event raised thousands to benefit the Japanese Red Cross efforts to help those affected by the tsunami and earthquake that hit Japan in March of this year.

Artwork by Jeff Koons and actor Dennis Hopper, who died on 29 May, 2010, as well as photographer David La Chapelle’s famous photograph of a nude Campbell, were auctioned off to benefit the victims of the earthquake and tsunami, which devastated Japan’s east coast. Another poignant note: in 1969, Hopper won the Cannes Film Festivals “Best First Work Award” for Easy Rider.

Taking part in the fashion show with Naomi were actresses Rosario Dawson and Jane Fonda, Yasmin Le Bon, Vanessa Paradis, Novak Djokovic, Karolina Kurkova and Robert De Niro’s wife Grace Hightower, attended with some offering to strut their stuff on the catwalk to relieve suffering. Naomi, who celebrated her 41st birthday on 22 May, was the first on the runway in an embroidered lace tulle dress from the Marchesa Fall 2011 Ready To Wear collection. A poignant note was sounded as Ms Campbell paid tribute to her friend, the late Alexander McQueen. Naomi wore a black and white creation from his Spring 2011 collection. Ms. Fonda, in a Marchesa evening gown, received rapturous applause when she closed the show.

Campbell said, “The destruction caused by the earthquake is completely heartbreaking. It’s so hard to even begin to comprehend the tragic loss the people of Japan are coping with. I felt very passionate to try and help in whatever way possible, to do our part and to support Japan at this time. I hope that the money raised from Fashion For Relief in Cannes will support those who need it most.”

Racing legend and Montegrappa share holder Jean Alesi takes to the catwalk

Also on the catwalk with Naomi and her fellow charity supporters was Montegrappa’s shareholder and member of the board for PR and Communication, Formula 1 legend Jean Alesi. Jean was invited in his capacity as Lotus brand ambassador.

A Lotus Evora with a special livery dedicated to and in the colours of the flag of Japan was auctioned and sold to a Russian bidder for over 150,000 euro, with the proceeds going for charity in support of the people hit by the tsunami, a tennis racket from Champion Tennis Player Novak Djokovic also raised a healthy 26,000 euro. The event has double resonance for Jean, as his wife, Kumiko, is a famous Japanese actress and model. Additionally, by pure coincidence, it was a year ago that Montegrappa had created a special pen for Naomi’s 40th birthday last year, commissioned by Franca Sozzani, director of Vogue Italy.

Naomi’s pen, based on the Extra 1930 in black & white celluloid, was hand-painted with a reproduction of a Vogue Italy’s cover, a fine example of Montegrappa’s bespoke service that offers the possibility of customising any existing Montegrappa pen, or the creation of one-of-a-kind writing instruments for special clients.