He'll Give You the Shirt off his Back: Vittorio Grigolo in Dubai

(Lapo Elkann, Grigolo and Roberto Cavalli)

How much would you pay for Vittorio Grigolo's shirt? The Italian tenor stripped down last week (in theory) at the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience, an event hosted by Vogue Italia's editor in chief Franca Sozzani and Mohamed Alabbar of Emaar Properties. 

At an open-air gala dinner (which fell coincidentally on Giuseppe Verdi's 200th birthday), Grigolo sang works from West Side Story and Caruso for sheiks, models and  Italian fashion house giants.

Later, Roberto Bolle danced with Petra Conti, followed by an auction to benefit Dubai Cares' outreach to children in developing countries.
 
Among auction items, Vittorio Grigolo offered the shirt off his back, which netted $40,000 USD.

Sozzani keeps Grigolo on speed dial theses days -- he recently gave a private La Scala concert during Milan Fashion Week for Vogue Italia and Condé Nast. 

Update: WWD reports:

Opera singer Vittorio Grigolo serenaded Campbell, ending the night with an impromptu auction of his shirt, which fetched $40,000. “Artists are used to being naked when we perform, so I can do without it,” he said with a laugh.

(Grigolo serenades identical twins Dean and Dan Caten of DSquared2)

(Grigolo with Clotilde Courau and Eva Cavalli)

Yesterday evening the Dubai mall witnessed History in the making. The history of unique events and moments that open up new paths and build bridges. The one put in place yesterday was indeed a bridge between East and West in the guise of an event titled Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience which, the first of its kind hosted in the Middle East, was the ultimate mix of glamour and high fashion.

 

Set against wonderful fountains and spectacular video screenings inside the Dubai Mall, the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience shone brightly right from the opening hosted by Eva Riccobono and starring the Editor-In-Chief of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani, and  Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties. It was Mr. Allabbar who officially started off the event which opened with a major fashion show at the Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue. Set against a dream-like atmosphere, the creations of 8 designers - Andrea Incontri (Italy), Simone Rocha (Ireland), Ituen Basi (Nigeria), Julia Voitenko and  Daria Golevko, designers of Esme Vie (Russia), Wadha Al- Hajri (Qatar), Razan Alazzouni and Ashi Studio (Saudi Arabia) and Lulwa Al Amin (Bahrain) – were presented on the runway.



It was a 360 ° fashion experience with shopping – of course – and the numerous limited edition pieces available at the boutiques of the major fashion houses featured inside the Dubai Mall but also pure beauty on display as part of a great exhibition of couture creations (held in the Atrium near Bloomingdale’s) which paid tribute to great international couturiers like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Armani, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Chanel, Dior, Elie Saab, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Givenchy. Over two decades of style and elegance were chronicled and celebrated with an extraordinary exhibition of 25 years of Vogue Italia covers. Plus a unique opportunity for all the guests: become part of the history of the iconic magazine. At Souk Atrium, a major interactive photographic installation gave guests the chance to be featured on the cover of Vogue: a fun experience that made the Dubai’s Fashion Night even more magic and special.

Past, present but also lots of future with regard to green initiatives at The Waterfall Atrium. The numerous guests that took part in the evening had the chance to gain an insight on the evolution of fashion with an eco-sustainable soul thanks to video installations and shorts presenting projects like the Green Carpet Challenge by Livia Firth, Carmina Campus, Alcantara, Edun+Diesel, the British Fashion Council’s Estethica and admire the eco-friendly creations designed by brands like Christopher Raeburn, Organic by John Patrick and The North Circular by Lily Cole as well as the works of up-and-coming designers selected as part of Vogue Italia’s Scouting Manifesto initiative.

 

Grand final, during the night, with the gala event that gathered famous names of the world of fashion, high dignitaries and iconic protagonists of the world of art and of showbusiness. A magic event, that has been held at the foot of Burj Khalifa, with a breath-taking view on the impressive fountains of the Dubai Mall, and that has been enriched by a performance by famous tenor Vittorio Grigolo, and a touching dance performance by Roberto Bolle. During the night, a charity auction has been held, too; its proceeds, together with the proceeds of sale of VFDE limited edition products, have been given to Dubai Cares, a charity organization founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, that helps children living in developing countries to have access to primary education.

During the auction, numerous and incredible experiences have been sold, as they have been given especially for this occasion. Experiences included a gold Medusa Pendant with diamonds, and an invitation for two people at the 2014/15 Autumn/Winter fashion show (both given by Versace); a weekend for two people in St. Moritz, with exclusive ski classes and a double ski suits (given by Moncler).

There also are an invitation for two people in a five-stars hotel in Cannes, for the annual dinner For The Love Of The Cinema, that is held during the film festival, given by IWC Schaffhausen (together with the two iconic watches Portofino Automatic, in red gold for her, and Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date, in white gold for him); a "Roberto Cavalli Experience" that, besides an invitation to the 2014/15 Autumn/Winter fashion show (with access to the backstage), also includes two exclusive dinners for two people, as well as some precious creations by the maison; furthermore, Valentino offered the creation of a unique and tailor-made dress (together with the opportunity to follow the creative process and to visit the atelier).

For the auction, Levant gave a very precious Quinting watch, while Chanel offered an invitation for the Haute Couture 2014 fashion show, and the opportunity to visit the private apartment of Gabrielle Chanel, at 31, rue Cambon.

A full tailoring experience has been offered by Burberry for the auction: an handmade suit for man, an invitation for two people at the Menswear autumn/winter 2014/15 fashion show in London, and a stay for two people at the Claridges Hotel, together with a shopping experience at the flagship store in 121, Regent street.

Giorgio Armani gave two invitations for his autumn/winter 2014/15 fashion show, with a VIP access to the backstage and a stay for two nights at the Armani Hotel, with a dinner for two people at Nobu. Last but not least, Vogue Italia offered a unique and exclusive experience: the auction winner will be lead in a shopping tour through the best boutiques of Milan together with the iconic stylist of our magazine, Enrica Ponzellini.

 

Together with Editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani and Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, President of Emaar Properties, the event has been attended by Philipp Plein, Lapo Elkann, Riccardo Tisci, Nicola Maramotti, Remo and Francesca Ruffini, Eva and Roberto Cavalli, Naomi Campbell, Karolína Kurková, Donatella Versace, Afef Jnifen.

- See more at: http://www.vogue.it/en/shows/fashion-events/2013/10/vogue-fashion-dubai-experience-event#sthash.TAmazEpr.dpuf

Yesterday evening the Dubai mall witnessed History in the making. The history of unique events and moments that open up new paths and build bridges. The one put in place yesterday was indeed a bridge between East and West in the guise of an event titled Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience which, the first of its kind hosted in the Middle East, was the ultimate mix of glamour and high fashion.

 

Set against wonderful fountains and spectacular video screenings inside the Dubai Mall, the Vogue Fashion Dubai Experience shone brightly right from the opening hosted by Eva Riccobono and starring the Editor-In-Chief of Vogue Italia, Franca Sozzani, and  Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties. It was Mr. Allabbar who officially started off the event which opened with a major fashion show at the Dubai Mall Fashion Avenue. Set against a dream-like atmosphere, the creations of 8 designers - Andrea Incontri (Italy), Simone Rocha (Ireland), Ituen Basi (Nigeria), Julia Voitenko and  Daria Golevko, designers of Esme Vie (Russia), Wadha Al- Hajri (Qatar), Razan Alazzouni and Ashi Studio (Saudi Arabia) and Lulwa Al Amin (Bahrain) – were presented on the runway.



It was a 360 ° fashion experience with shopping – of course – and the numerous limited edition pieces available at the boutiques of the major fashion houses featured inside the Dubai Mall but also pure beauty on display as part of a great exhibition of couture creations (held in the Atrium near Bloomingdale’s) which paid tribute to great international couturiers like Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Armani, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Chanel, Dior, Elie Saab, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Givenchy. Over two decades of style and elegance were chronicled and celebrated with an extraordinary exhibition of 25 years of Vogue Italia covers. Plus a unique opportunity for all the guests: become part of the history of the iconic magazine. At Souk Atrium, a major interactive photographic installation gave guests the chance to be featured on the cover of Vogue: a fun experience that made the Dubai’s Fashion Night even more magic and special.

Past, present but also lots of future with regard to green initiatives at The Waterfall Atrium. The numerous guests that took part in the evening had the chance to gain an insight on the evolution of fashion with an eco-sustainable soul thanks to video installations and shorts presenting projects like the Green Carpet Challenge by Livia Firth, Carmina Campus, Alcantara, Edun+Diesel, the British Fashion Council’s Estethica and admire the eco-friendly creations designed by brands like Christopher Raeburn, Organic by John Patrick and The North Circular by Lily Cole as well as the works of up-and-coming designers selected as part of Vogue Italia’s Scouting Manifesto initiative.

 

Grand final, during the night, with the gala event that gathered famous names of the world of fashion, high dignitaries and iconic protagonists of the world of art and of showbusiness. A magic event, that has been held at the foot of Burj Khalifa, with a breath-taking view on the impressive fountains of the Dubai Mall, and that has been enriched by a performance by famous tenor Vittorio Grigolo, and a touching dance performance by Roberto Bolle. During the night, a charity auction has been held, too; its proceeds, together with the proceeds of sale of VFDE limited edition products, have been given to Dubai Cares, a charity organization founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, that helps children living in developing countries to have access to primary education.

During the auction, numerous and incredible experiences have been sold, as they have been given especially for this occasion. Experiences included a gold Medusa Pendant with diamonds, and an invitation for two people at the 2014/15 Autumn/Winter fashion show (both given by Versace); a weekend for two people in St. Moritz, with exclusive ski classes and a double ski suits (given by Moncler).

There also are an invitation for two people in a five-stars hotel in Cannes, for the annual dinner For The Love Of The Cinema, that is held during the film festival, given by IWC Schaffhausen (together with the two iconic watches Portofino Automatic, in red gold for her, and Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date, in white gold for him); a "Roberto Cavalli Experience" that, besides an invitation to the 2014/15 Autumn/Winter fashion show (with access to the backstage), also includes two exclusive dinners for two people, as well as some precious creations by the maison; furthermore, Valentino offered the creation of a unique and tailor-made dress (together with the opportunity to follow the creative process and to visit the atelier).

For the auction, Levant gave a very precious Quinting watch, while Chanel offered an invitation for the Haute Couture 2014 fashion show, and the opportunity to visit the private apartment of Gabrielle Chanel, at 31, rue Cambon.

A full tailoring experience has been offered by Burberry for the auction: an handmade suit for man, an invitation for two people at the Menswear autumn/winter 2014/15 fashion show in London, and a stay for two people at the Claridges Hotel, together with a shopping experience at the flagship store in 121, Regent street.

Giorgio Armani gave two invitations for his autumn/winter 2014/15 fashion show, with a VIP access to the backstage and a stay for two nights at the Armani Hotel, with a dinner for two people at Nobu. Last but not least, Vogue Italia offered a unique and exclusive experience: the auction winner will be lead in a shopping tour through the best boutiques of Milan together with the iconic stylist of our magazine, Enrica Ponzellini.

 

Together with Editor-in-chief of Vogue Italia Franca Sozzani and Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, President of Emaar Properties, the event has been attended by Philipp Plein, Lapo Elkann, Riccardo Tisci, Nicola Maramotti, Remo and Francesca Ruffini, Eva and Roberto Cavalli, Naomi Campbell, Karolína Kurková, Donatella Versace, Afef Jnifen.

- See more at: http://www.vogue.it/en/shows/fashion-events/2013/10/vogue-fashion-dubai-experience-event#sthash.TAmazEpr.dpuf