By Nina Mandell
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Lady Gaga and a host of New York's hottest celebrities switched their snow boots for high heels Wednesday night to raise money for AIDS research and honor Natasha Richardson.
Richardson was a chair of the amfAR foundation, hosts of the gala at Cipriani 42nd Street, before she died following a skiing accident last March. She was honored with a special tribute presented by her mother Vanessa Redgrave, Meryl Streep and amfAR founder Mathilde Krim.
The late actress, and wife of actor Liam Neeson, was a vigorous fund raiser for HIV/AIDS research after her father, Tony Richardson, died of the disease in 1991.
At the gala, Lady Gaga — covered in white paint and pearls — performed her hit song, “Future Love.” Rufus Wainwright and Streep also performed.
Louis Vuitton CEO Yves Carcelle, Elton John and his partner, David Furnish, received amFar’s Award of Courage for their work with the foundation.