Christie's Makes Its Bid to Save the Earth

Renowned collectors, philanthropists, celebrities, and other influencers gathered en masse at Christie's on Wednesday night for the third annual Green Auction: BID to Save the Earth. Hosts Susan and David Rockefeller and Anna and Graydon Carter welcomed Glenn Close, Coco Rocha, Olivia Chantecaille, Lauren and Sharon Bush, Amanda Hearst, Denise Rich, Angela Martini, and Angela Lindvall to the JW Marriot Lounge VIP area, where they and many other eco-minded guests sipped signature Grey Goose cocktails like the Cherry Noir Midnight Highball and the Le Fizz whilst eyeing the vintage Fendi Baguettes and other silent auction items on display. Other highlights that were up for bid included a day on set with Harrison Ford; custom necklaces designed by Susan Rockefeller (exclusive to the Green Auction); a day with Bill Clinton; and posing classes with model Coco Rocha, who graced the green carpet in Fendi and told us of her latest eco-friendly project: decorating her new, upstate home with vintage finds. Animal Fair's Wendy Diamond placed a bid on a 13-day safari adventure in Kenya "because I'm a big supporter of endangered animals, and if we don't make initiatives to make changes, they won't be around much longer." (Alas, she was outbid at the time of this writing). Another set of items that garnered its share of attention were the Stella McCartney bespoke totes featuring art by the likes of Peter Tunney, Mr. Brainwash, and Bunta Tnoue. Vegan leather devotee Grace Potter, who would perform later in the evening, told AVENUEinsider: "I would love one of these bags to rock Coachella," where she will be headlining this weekend. All of the above and much more, like tea with Elettra Wiedemann, are available online through April 19 atBidtoSavetheEarth.Charitybuzz.com. A big chunk of the money, nonetheless, was raised during the live auction, officiated by Christie's own Lydia Fenet, which raised over $600,000 for the water preservation programs run by Oceana, Conservation International, Central Park Conservancy, and Natural Resources Defense Council. Oceana's Sail Aboard Hemisphere ? The World's Largest Luxury Sailing Catamaran, swept the evening's sale at $150,000, after a tense bidding war. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals followed the lively proceedings with the performance of four songs, including the very appropriate "Nothing But The Water." All of the elements, you could say, were perfectly in place. - Melissa Berkelhammer [gallery link="file" columns="4"]