Tom Ford Honored For AIDS Work At amfAR Inspiration Gala

Designer Tom Ford was the guest of honor at last night's Fifth Annual amfAR Inspiration Gala. Ford was chosen for his lasting contribution to help fight HIV/AIDS, and was presented with the Inspiration Award at MILK Studios, in Los Angeles. It turned out to be a star-studded affair, with some of today's biggest celebrities wearing the honoree's own designs.

Though the headlines focused mostly on Miley Cyrus' and Rihanna's risque couture (Cyrus sported a bondage-inspired black dress, while Rihanna went one step further, using little more than pink pasties to cover herself), the night was far more than a battle of the breasts. Rather than just serving up cleavage, the stars dished out serious cash for AIDS research.

Rihanna won a pair of Harry Winston diamond link earrings for $35,000, and went on to pay $100,000 for a signed Willy Rizzo photograph of Elizabeth Taylor. After an epic bidding war against Ford himself, Cyrus took home a Ryan McGinley print for $300,000. Later, Rihanna, Ford and Cyrus each donated an additional $200,000 to the charity. All in all, the bidding collected over $3 million to go towards HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, education, and advocacy.

Under the chairmanship of Kenneth Cole, the event was hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow, who introduced ex-husband Chris Martin, and the legendary Diana Ross for surprise performances in front of a star-studded audience: Eddie Redmayne, Dita Von Teese, Lea Michelle, Lisa Kudrow, Sharon Stone, and Justin Timberlake were all spotted partying as the night went on.

Photo: Christopher Polk/Getty