Madonna, Gucci and U.N. for Malawi

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Pop star Madonna hosted a star studded event on Wednesday(February 6) on the lawns of the United Nations to aid Malawi orphans, the U.N. 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 U.N. 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 me their generosity. There's always controversy surrounding anything that involves change," Madonna told Reuters.

A huge tent was erected on the lawns of the United Nations for the event and security was tight. Alicia Keys, Timbaland and Rihanna were due to perform, while comedian Chris Rock was to auction off celebrity events, such as aerobics with Madonna and baseball batting practice with Yankee Alex Rodriguez.
The star power doesn't end there. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes made an
appearance and rapper turned entrepreneur Sean Combs took a break from getting ready for his fall 2008 fashion show to support Madonna. Combs says, that when Madonna throws an event, you don't pass it up. Combs said "I'm a big fan of Gucci and what they represent." Asked if he was nervous about his first show in five years at New York fashion week, Diddy said, "Yeah, I don't know what designer isn't nervous about their fashion show?"

Madonna's interest in helping Malawi orphans is personal -- she and her husband, director Guy Ritchie, are raising a young Malawian boy they hope to adopt. But the adoption has hit several stumbling blocks since they took him from an orphanage in late 2006 when he was 13-months-old. Rights groups have accused Madonna of using her fame and wealth to circumvent the country's adoption rules, although the singer has insisted she is following the law. Malawi's High Court is to hold a hearing this year into whether Madonna and Ritchie are suitable parents and should adopt the child.

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