The party at the VIP Room rooftop club on the Cannes beachfront — which opens only for the duration of the film festival —
starts at midnight and is likely to scoop up celebrities leaving a nearby star-studded AIDS fund-raiser. The VIP Room gig is to celebrate the 51st birthday of flamboyant French designer Christian Audigier who made a fortune in the US and has stars like Madonna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Puff Daddy among his clients. Last year Michael Jackson sang at his birthday party here in Cannes, and the US singer is rumoured to be making a return trip this year. The party follows an event earlier in the evening at the nearby Riviera town of Cap d’Antibes at which former US president Clinton’s celebrated saxophone goes under the hammer. Directors Tarantino and Lars Von Trier also are expected along with Michelle Yeoh, Joshua Jackson, Elizabeth Hurley, Mike Meyers, Eva Green, the designer duo Dolce and Gabbana and Donatella Versace. Many of the stars from that event are expected to head on to the birthday bash for Audigier, who began his career selling jeans on French street markets.
Sharon Stone is among stars to head this year’s gala