Jaguar's Tribute to Style on Rodeo Drive 2002 Raised $750,000 For Entertainment Industry Foundation’s National Arts Education Initiative

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. –The Emmy's were not the only celebration of fashion and glamour this week - Monday's Jaguar's Tribute to Style on Rodeo Drive gave celebrities one last chance to dress up and make a statement, this time in the name of arts education. As Rodeo Drive transformed into an elegant soiree for 1200 guests, leaders from the entertainment, fashion and automotive industries pooled their talents to support the Entertainment Industry Foundation's (EIF) National Arts Education Initiative.

Celebrity hosts for the evening were Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance, Camille & Kelsey Grammer and Lisa Kudrow & Michel Stern.

Celebrities in attendance included: Tom Arnold, Buzz Aldrin, Debbie Allen, Rosanna Arquette, David Chokachi, Jackie Collins, Shaune Bagwell, Macy Gray, Harry Hamlin, Marilu Henner, Formula One driver Eddie Irvine, Lori Laughlin, Jane Leeves, Mossimo, Laraine Newman, Suzanne Pleshette, Tom Poston, Lisa Rinna, John Ritter, Rachel Roberts, from the Emmy Award-wining Friends, David Schwimmer, Tori Spelling, Paul Stanley, Patrick Swayze, Nancy Travis, Verne Troyer, Amy Yasbeck.

"We at Jaguar recognize the importance of arts education," said Mike O’Driscoll, president, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America. "This year, we have the privilege of helping to launch the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Arts Education Initiative. Jaguar's Tribute to Style on Rodeo Drive and our support of the Initiative is one of the best ways we can help ensure that art's positive influence on our children will continue to be felt."

The ultimate auctioneer Andrea Fiuczynski of Christie's Auction House, rallied the bidding on several live auction items, including The Ultimate Trunk Show, featuring a 2003 Jaguar XKR convertible and luxury Rodeo Drive items stored in its trunk. This item alone raised $90,000 for arts education programs.

This year’s theme, "Art & Performance, celebrated the fusion of style and the arts. Thirty of the world’s most prestigious designers created their own masterpieces for the premiere of Objets d’art," presented by ELLE and ELLE DÉCOR, an exhibition of the most celebrated icons of fashion artistry. Badgley Mischka, CHANEL, Dolce & Gabbana, FRED Paris, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Harry Winston, Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co. and many others contributed items such as one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces totaling over 300 carats, vintage and historical items dating back to the 1850’s and original pieces of leather, taffeta, crepe and fine embroidery. The "Objets d’art" exhibition will be displayed in their respective Rodeo Drive stores from September 24th to October 7th.

A performance under the stars by the renowned New York-based dance group, Complexions finished the evening. As the winner of the New York Times’ 1995 Critic’s Choice Award, Complexions is changing the face and pace of dance in America with a cast of dancers with credits from the finest dance companies in the world. The talented performers joining Complexions included famed guitarist Slash with a stunning rendition of The Star Spangled Banner from the rooftop of the Louis Vuitton boutique, singer Pauletta Washington, wife of Denzel Washington, vocalist Charles Veal, Jr., young members of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and RCA recording artist Kelly Clarkson.

Celebrating 60 years of giving, the Entertainment Industry Foundation represents the collective philanthropy of the entertainment industry. EIF has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars and provided countless hours to support charitable initiatives that address some of the most critical issues facing our society.

Since its inception in 1996, Jaguar’s Tribute to Style, a special event of EIF, has raised nearly $3 million for a variety of inner city and arts education organizations. EIF’s National Arts Education Initiative funds exemplary arts education organizations and calls attention to the need for arts education in America’s schools. Southern California-based beneficiaries include InnerSpark (California State Summer School for the Arts), the Museum of Contemporary Art, Teach For America, P.S. Arts and Shakespeare Festival/ LA.