| Pop star Madonna hosted a star studded event on Wednesday(February 6) on the lawns of the United Nations to aid Malawi orphans, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and -- controversially -- to celebrate a new Gucci store. Madonna and 11-year-old daughter Lourdes Leon walked the red carpet before heading inside the event. Actors Gwyneth Paltrow, Drew Barrymore, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, and a very pregnant Jennifer Lopez were among many stars that turned up for the dinner that Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini said has already raised $3.7 million (USD). "This evening, what I really want to do is put Raising Malawi on the map," Madonna told Reuters. "I want credibility as a philanthropic organization. I want it inspire people. I don't want them to just write me a check, I want them to give me a piece of their heart." Gucci, which is owned by French retailer PPR has paid for the entire event and said all money raised will be split between Raising Malawi and UNICEF. But critics have questioned the use of the UN grounds to celebrate a new Gucci store and raised concerns about ties between Madonna's charity Raising Malawi and The Kabbalah Centre, a mystical form of Judaism practiced by the pop star. The accusations, made mainly by bloggers, appear to stem from the fact that Raising Malawi's founder Michael Berg is also co-director of The Kabbalah Centre. "I don't really pay any attention to that. I am grateful that Gucci has underwritten this event that's all that matters to ... |
