LONDON.- Louis Vuitton organised an auction co-hosted by Sotheby’s London at its New Bond Street premises, where seven Special Orders, created by masters of savoir-faire, were sold for a total of £495,000.

All proceeds from this auction will be donated to the Nigerien Red Cross Fighting Malnutrition Programme. This programme aims to contribute to the reduction of acute malnutrition and mortality of the most vulnerable population, including expectant and new mothers as well as young children under five.

Louis Vuitton paid tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross by creating seven limited-edition Special Orders, made in the historical Asnières workshop that celebrates this year a century and a half of savoir-faire, tradition and innovation.

Louis Vuitton offered six masters of savoir-faire the opportunity to create a unique special order that embodies their exceptional expertise in their respective professions. The six personalities are: the chef Ferran Adrià, the artist Damien Hirst, the photographer Annie Leibovitz, the musician and composer Gustavo Santaolalla, the designer Marc Jacobs, Patrick-Louis Vuitton, the head of Louis Vuitton’s Special Orders department and a member of the fifth generation of the Vuitton family. To commemorate the event, Louis Vuitton has crafted a limited edition Red Cross medical trunk.

“We are very proud to collaborate with the Red Cross on such an iconic occasion and to offer our support to this exceptional association which for the past 150 years has played a major role in the fight against the instability of this world”, says Yves Carcelle, Chairman & CEO of Louis Vuitton.

Cheyenne Westphal, Sotheby’s Chairman of Contemporary Art Europe, commented: “The money realised at tonight's gala dinner charity auction is testament to the generosity and skill of each of the six personalities involved and the global luxury brand Louis Vuitton, who collaborated to produce each unique special order. The sum achieved this evening will benefit the Red Cross for their programme ‘Fight Against Malnutrition in Niger’ and Sotheby’s is delighted to have been able to play a role in raising those funds.”