Caring for Women: when leaders in fashion and culture come together to end gender-based violence
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September 18, 2025
Caring for Women: when leaders in fashion and culture come together to end gender-based violence
New York, September 11, 2025. The scene which took place in the heart of Manhattan beneath the soaring modernist ceilings of The Pool was part red carpet, part meeting of dedicated advocates as Oscar-winning actresses, music artists, fashion designers, and media personalities gathered for a dinner unlike any other: the fourth annual Caring for Women Dinner, presented by the Kering Foundation.
Since 2022, the Caring for Women Dinner has established itself as one of the highlights of New York’s fall season. Created by the Kering Foundation to raise funds for grassroots organizations, it brings together some of the biggest names in fashion and culture in support of a common cause: ending gender-based violence and supporting survivors.
The Caring for Women Dinner
More than fashion on the menu
With tables reserved for Kering Houses and other leading names in the luxury sector; an auction of one-of-a-kind items and experiences; and moving speeches and special performances: the evening is designed to be a powerful catalyst for action. Last year, it raised nearly $3 million. This year, the goal was to do even more. Mission accomplished: $4.5 million were raised this year to be donated to four organizations.
“The Caring for Women dinner is an opportunity for us to gather in support of a common goal and to involve as many of our external partners as possible,” explains Laurent Claquin, Chief Brand Officer at Kering, who helped to create the initiative during his tenure as head of Kering Americas. “Violence against women and children is a global problem, and it is essential that we go beyond individual action to address it.”
A who’s who of advocates
Co-hosted by Salma Hayek Pinault and François-Henri Pinault, the event once again featured a dazzling guest list. Alongside the Group's Houses—Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Boucheron, Pomellato, and Ginori 1735—major names from the film, music, and art worlds showed their support. Jessica Chastain, Colman Domingo, Dolores Huerta, Madonna, Demi Moore, and Julianne Moore helped to organize the event.
The variety of the guest list reflects the goal behind the Caring for Women Dinner: to bridge the gap between creative fields and the world of activism, between glamour and grassroots. In previous years the event has featured personalities such as Queen Rania of Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, Cindy Sherman, Zoe Kravitz, Donatella Versace, Naomi Watts, Kim Kardashian, and Lauren Sanchez. In 2024, a powerful speech by Viola Davis and a performance by the signer-songwriter Raye left a lasting impression on guests.
“The Caring For Women dinner offers a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the Kering Foundation's mission and to highlight the vital work carried out by grassroots organizations to support women who have been victims of gender-based violence. This year, the funds raised will be used to help women to achieve financial independence, a key step towards freedom.”
A gala designed to galvanize
The auction is, of course, one of the highlights of the evening. Haute couture, works of art, exclusive experiences donated by artists and designers: each lot sold is a symbolic victory over inaction. The $4,5 million raised will support four organizations hand-picked by the Foundation for their essential work supporting women survivors.
Since its inception in 2008, the Kering Foundation has been active on several fronts: supporting specialist organizations, creating supportive professional environments for survivors, and raising public awareness. Active in Korea, France, Italy, the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, the Foundation takes action locally while also pursuing a global objective: to permanently change attitudes and behaviors.
“To ensure that women and children can live free from gender-based violence, we must commit to providing survivors with the resources and support necessary to rebuild their lives with autonomy and safety,” insists François-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of Kering and Chairman of the Kering Foundation.
When tastemakers become changemakers
As the evening draws to a close, a shared sentiment prevails: guests feel they have witnessed much more than just a gala dinner. Somewhere amidst the sparkle of jewelry and the swish of gowns, Caring for Women has proven that the luxury sector can be a powerful catalyst for social change.
In a world where one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence, mobilizing influential figures is more important than ever. For one special evening in New York, the elegance of the guests’ finery was outshone by the beauty of their commitment to restoring hope and security to those who need it most.
About the organizations selected in 2025
Sanctuary for Families
Sanctuary for Families is New York's leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and related forms of gender violence. Sanctuary provides medical, psychological, legal, and economic services which empower thousands to regain their independence and stability. The funds raised will be used to provide survivors with trainings and supportive services that lead to sustainable living-wage jobs.
FreeFrom
An organization led by queer, transgender, and BIPOC, Freeform works to end gender-based violence by building economic freedom and safety with survivors. The proceeds from the Caring for Women Dinner will go to GIFTED, FreeFrom’s social enterprise that offers survivors pathways to financial independence through entrepreneurship and living-wage jobs.
Violence Intervention Program
Founded in 1984, the Violence Intervention Program is dedicated specifically to supporting Latina American survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence. As well as working to raise public awareness about this crucial issue, the program also provides business development, marketing workshops and supports survivors as they build solid, independent futures for themselves.
Equality Now
Equality Now is a worldwide human rights organization dedicated to securing the legal and systemic change needed to end discrimination against women and girls and to achieve true gender equality. The funds raised by the Kering Foundation will help strengthen Equality Now’s ecosystem of changemakers in Latin America, by expanding legal advocacy, assistance and support for survivors.
