The stars came out last night for a huge NYC party to benefit Madonna's Raising Malawi Foundation. Like any good Hollywood style event, the fundraiser doubled as a fashion party, hosted by Gucci, who coincidently is opening a new store in New York tomorrow. Even though these star-studded fundraisers make my skin itch, I realize they do pull in the cash flow. The event last night raised a hefty $3.7 million... so I guess I can deal with the image of primped up celebs munching on truffles and caviar. Even Madonn's daughter, Lourdes, was looking glam.

Everyone came out last night, and I mean everyone -- Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Rock, Gwen Stefani, Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Drew Barrymore, Amy Adams, Brooke Shields, Salma Hayek, Madonna, and a very pregnant JLo. Rihanna, Timbaland, and Alicia Keys performed right after Madonna showed videos and introduced children from Malawi. Each guest paid $2500 to $10,000 for the dinner.

The proceeds are going to be split between the Raising Malawi Foundation and the US Fund for UNICEF, both charities are dedicated to helping poor and sick children around the world. According to UNICEF, HIV/AIDS affects almost 1 million people in Malawi, 83,000 of which are children, and half of the country's 1 million orphans have lost one or both parents to AIDS. source