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NEW YORK -- The cause du jour? Breast cancer research.
The vibe? Upbeat and chipper.
The theme? Very definitely "very hot pink" at this year's benefit Monday at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel to raise cash for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Foundation founder Evelyn Lauder of Estee Lauder brought out some of her company's famous faces, including Ashley Judd (who shills for American Beauty) and British model Elizabeth Hurley.
Hurley was mistress of ceremonies. Tony Bennett performed, along with Elton John, whose partner, David Furnish, escorted pal Hurley on the red carpet.
When asked whether she had anything special planned for the evening, Hurley joked: "A striptease. Nothing, except the joy of introducing Elton and Tony Bennett."
Ashley Judd, accompanied by her race-driver husband, Dario Franchitti, said she was there "to fill the coffers for breast cancer research. I'm very interested in women's reproductive health."
It was a day filled with charitable work for singing star John, who threw his version of a garage sale earlier Monday. He and Furnish are hawking more than 10,000 items to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Furnish said, "We really cleaned out our closets."
The five-day sale, held at Rockefeller Center and running until April 15, is open to the public.
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