Steven Tyler, Joe Perry to headline Varvatos Stuart House benefit
Fashion designer John Varvatos has tapped rockers Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (yes, of Aerosmith fame) to perform at his annual Stuart House benefit, scheduled to take place Sunday in front of his West Hollywood boutique.
This year will mark the 10th that the fashion designer has thrown his support -- and leveraged his considerable connections -- on behalf of Stuart House, a UCLA rape treatment center program that helps sexually abused children.
A live musical set is a traditional highlight of the event; past performers that include k.d. lang (2011), ZZ Top (2009), Macy Gray (2007) and Jackson Browne (2005).
Tapping two-fifths of Aerosmith is just part of what’s making this year’s event cooler than ever; there’s also honorary co-chairs Jennifer Garner and husband Ben Affleck, whose star could hardly shine any brighter thanks to his Academy Award best picture win for “Argo.”
In addition to the live music and a constellation of celebrity attendees, there’s to be a live auction, a silent auction and a Hasbro-sponsored kid’s tent offering children’s activities.
The silent auction usually includes all manner of one-of-a-kind experiences, memorabilia and merchandise from the world of fashion, food, sports and entertainment (items up for bids this time around include a chance to golf with Samuel L. Jackson, or to have dinner with Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber in Malibu), but this year seems to have seriously ramped up the fashion-focused offerings.
Among the things up for bid? How about the chance to spend a day behind the scenes of a Paige Denim ad campaign photo shoot? Or a marketing internship at the John Varvatos headquarters in New York City? Or, for the Diane Von Furstenberg fan, how about a package that includes not only lunch with the designer in New York City but a stay in the luxury suite she designed for the Grand Hayman resort -- in Australia?
Over the past nine years, the event has added $2.7 million to the Stuart House’s coffers, with last year’s event -- with honorary event co-chairs Leslie Mann and husband Judd Apatow and a live set by Dave Matthews -- generating $700,000.
Though we’re told the event is sold out, silent-auction bids can be placed (and donations made, if you prefer) online through a link at johnvarvatos.com/varv/store/stuart-house/.
John Varvatos 10th Annual Stuart House Benefit – Bring Your Heart to Our House, March 10, noon to 5 p.m., 8800 Melrose Avenue (at Robertson Boulevard), West Hollywood.
ALSO:
2012 Varvatos Stuart House benefit raises $700,000
Style Scout: 2009 John Varvatos Stuart House benefit
John Varvatos hopes to go global witrh his rock-flavored menswear
