Saturday night at Sotheby’s in New York, a standing-room-only starry crowd helped raise more than $26 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. The audience gathered for the (RED) Auction, which was curated by Sir Jonathan Ive, Apple’s senior vice president of design, and industrial designer Marc Newson in collaboration with Bono, who introduced the two designers as men who, “have wild, bloody fights over how many holes should be in the cheese grater but are really talking about how design can improve the quality of life.” The sale was a smashing success bringing in more than $13 million, which was matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Three lots brought more than $1.5 million, including two items designed by Jony and Marc — longtime friends who had never worked together until Bono convinced them to plan this auction — a Leica Digital Rangefinder Camera, which sold for $1.8 million, and an aluminum desk, which brought $1.7 million. The crowd of more than 1,000 guests included The Edge, Chelsea Clinton, Helena Christensen, Meg Ryan, Harrison Ford, Jenna and Barbara Bush, Hayden Panettiere, Larry Gagosian, Dieter Rams, Gayle King, Savannah Guthrie, John McEnroe, Courtney Love, Britain’s Princess Eugenie and Mario Batali. Before auctioneer Oliver Barker opened bidding on lot 12, a Steinway & Sons grand piano customized by Jony and Marc, Coldplay’s Chris Martin took to the stage to sing “Perfect Day” and “Beautiful Day” with Bono. The performance inspired more than a dozen bidders to compete for the piano, which was finally won by Stewart Rahr for $1.9 million. Later in the evening, lot 23, an Azzedine Alaïa pink couture long ruffle dress, was modeled by Christy Turlington before it sold for $149,000. Other treasures sold included a pair of solid rose gold ear buds that sold for $461,000, a “Star Wars” stormtrooper helmet signed by George Lucas for $245,000, a thermal window for the US Space Shuttle on a stand designed by Jony and Marc for $845,000, and an original Russian cosmonaut’s suit ($250,000). After the final fall of the hammer, guests headed to Sotheby’s 10th-floor galleries for the Belvedere Red after-party with music by Nile Rodgers and Chic, as well as Angelique Kidjo. Leonardo DiCaprio made a surprise visit to the after-party, keeping a low profile in an overcoat and newsboy cap. He was joined by his model girlfriend Toni Garrn.