Colman Domingo Says “Men Should Be Locking Arms to Make Sure Women Have What They Need” at Kering’s Caring for Women Dinner

Beyond monetary donations, what’s the best way an A-list star can contribute to organizations that benefit women and children? “It’s always been important to me to stand firm with these organizations — not only in support, but with my presence,” Colman Domingo explained on the red carpet for Thursday’s Caring for Women Dinner, the annual benefit produced by the Kering Foundation at The Pool in New York City. “Anytime I’ve been in rooms like this, I’ve thought, ‘Look at all these female leaders’ — but hey, we’re the men. Men should be locking arms to make sure women have what they need in access and information and support. I was raised a feminist, and I’ll die a feminist.”

Domingo served as master of ceremonies at this fifth-annual fundraiser produced annually by Kering, the luxury conglomerate that owns brands that include Gucci, Brioni, Balenciaga, McQueen and others. Stars on the red carpet included both longtime supporters and first-time attendees, from co-hosts Salma Hayek Pinault and her husband, Kering chairman of the board François-Henri Pinault, as well as fellow co-hosts Simone Biles, Dakota Johnson, Pamela Anderson and Benecio Del Toro.

“My friend Salma and her husband, Mr. Pinault, I wanted to be here for them, and it’s an honor to be here,” Del Toro, attending for the first time, said. “Of course it’s important to bring attention to gender-based violence, something that comes from the heart and is just and right and urgent.”

The night raised more than $5 million to benefit four organizations, all dedicated to ending violence against women and children: Activating Change, which advocates for people with disabilities and the deaf community experiencing criminalization and incarceration; Fondo Semillas, a Mexico-based organization working to achieve justice and equality for girls, women and the trans community; JBWS, which protects and supports victims of domestic abuse; and The New York Women’s Foundation, which provides grants to social programs and other women-led organizations.

If there’s an unsurprising element about this evening, it’s the fact that guests turn up in their best black-tie looks by Kering brands. That included Biles in a draped Balenciaga gown, Moore in Bottega Veneta, Anderson in a sleek black gown by Gucci, and del Toro in a Brioni tuxedo, while Paris Hilton, on hand to DJ the night’s after-party, wore a silver stone- and sequin-embroidered Gucci gown. Domingo arrived on the red carpet in Valentino (30 percent of which is owned by Kering) with jewels by Boucheron, as the Oscar nominee was named the jeweler’s first American ambassador earlier this year. “I’m a host, so I felt the need to bring a little sparkle and some light in the room with me tonight,” Domingo explained of his jewelry and his beaded suit. “I’ve always believed in storytelling in the things I wear, while also having some fun. The world is such a hard place as it is, we need to inspire people to embrace a bit more whimsy.”

Funds were raised not only through guest tickets but also the live auction, a mix of one-of-a-kind items and experiences Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Pomellato and others. But for the first time, the event will extend its fundraising via an online auction that kicks off on Sept. 14 and ranges from a vintage Boucheron brooch and a London shopping experience at McQueen to a signed leotard donated by Simone Biles, also among the night’s first-time attendees.

“Gender-based violence against women and girls is a violation of their fundamental human right to live safely,” the Olympic champion explained on the red carpet. “That’s why the advocacy work and the nonprofits are more important than ever. The work they’ve done over the past couple of years has been really inspiring to watch, so I’m just grateful to be a part of it.”

The night also took on the look of a mini-reunion by co-stars from The Shards with Homer Gere, Graham Campbell and Jordan Roth in attendance. “I’ve had the time of my life, literally every second of every day with this cast,” Roth said of working on the show. “But that’s also the genius of Ryan Murphy, who understands not only culture, but how to cast incredible people. I am the luckiest of humans.”

“This is my first one of these kinds of things,” the 26-year-old Gere, son of Richard Gere and Carey Lowell, admitted as he looked around the wood-paneled outer rooms of The Pool. “I’m not sure what to say yet, because I just got here. It’s great to see Jordan, a familiar face. But everyone’s been very nice, I know it’s going to be a lovely night.” Up next for Gere: White Lies, directed by Oliver Stone, he said. “It stars Josh Hartnett as a family man who kind of ruins his family and then tries to get it back together,” the actor explained. “That might not be a great description of it, but it’s been incredible to work with Oliver Stone and everyone involved.”

Wearing a Bottega Veneta tuxedo, Kering CEO Luca De Meo, who joined the company in September 2025, noted that Thursday night likewise was his first experience at the event. “I had always heard about it, but it’s incredible to think about the millions of people who have been helped by the money raised over the years,” he said. “In Europe it’s slightly different, a little more rare, to do something like this, but overall I find people in America, both businesses and private donations, to be incredibly generous. Though this isn’t something we do for the business, we do it for the causes.”