Celebrities Celebrate African Wildlife in the Heart of New York

Last night, supporters of African wildlife may not have trekked to the Sahara, but mingling amongst (stuffed) elephants in the Museum of Natural History was certainly the next best thing for the celebrity supporters of the African Wildlife Foundation.-

Hublot and the African Wildlife Foundation held an auction dinner and fundraiser for the empowerment of the African people and wildlife right in the middle of the Akeley Hall of African Mammals.

Guests including Russel Simmons, Molly Sims, Stavros Niarchos,  Governor David Paterson , and Lapo Elkann (Don't know who Lapo is? For Shame! Click here to get caught up) wined, dined, and bid in support of the "leading international conservation organization focused solely on Africa." During the event, Hublot introduced Czech model Veronica Varekova as its newest ambassedor. As a long standing supporter of Africa's wildlife, Varekova was the catalyst for Hublot's charitible partnership with the AWF. According to the watchmaker, this dinner marks the beginning of what will be an ongoing connection with the Wildlife Foundation.

Flaviana Matata, Russell Simmons  Veronica Varekova.

Lapo Elkann

Governer David Patterson              Molly Sims

Stavros Niarchos, Sarah Gore-Reeves, Veronica Varekova

[All images via Getty]