Say that 5 times fast...
This past Saturday evening Dallas' most stylish (and outlandish) gathered at the Hilton Anatole in support of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA). The organizers of this year's event decided that it was time to shake things up, so the theme for this year's soiree was "Dramatically Different".
Why change a format that's worked for 20 years? Well, for one thing, the "I" in DIFFA represents a plural word: Industries. It’s not just about clothes. In years past, the event primarily revolved around a fashion show of denim jackets elaborately redesigned by local and national designers. This year, guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner with live auction. Instead of ending there, the party transitioned into an over the top event with VIP Designer Salons, dessert stations, dancing, fashion presentation, stage productions and constant discoveries expressing and celebrating design.
Another big change was the show's Creative Director who orchestrates the vision of the entire night. From 2001 to 2009, Rhonda Sargent Chambers executed this massive undertaking, along with Brian Brothers of Planet Productions. Brothers was still on the scene, but this year's new Co-Creative Director, Jan Strimple, took over and said of her plan for this year's event, "I have a lot of fun with what I call a 'take no prisoners attitude' towards designing the fashion components: kill them with glamour, seduce them with beauty, rock it out with the unexpected and leave 'em begging for more!"
Here are a few video highlights of the after-party extravaganza:
Daylon Pereira from the upcoming Bravo TV show "Most Eligible: Dallas" strutted the runway and was cheered on by his cast who were there to support him and fellow cast mate, Drew Ginsburg, who was named to the 2011 DIFFA Style Council.
This past Saturday evening Dallas' most stylish (and outlandish) gathered at the Hilton Anatole in support of the Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA). The organizers of this year's event decided that it was time to shake things up, so the theme for this year's soiree was "Dramatically Different".
To see photos of all the fabulous outfits and great people-watching that took place,
Why change a format that's worked for 20 years? Well, for one thing, the "I" in DIFFA represents a plural word: Industries. It’s not just about clothes. In years past, the event primarily revolved around a fashion show of denim jackets elaborately redesigned by local and national designers. This year, guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner with live auction. Instead of ending there, the party transitioned into an over the top event with VIP Designer Salons, dessert stations, dancing, fashion presentation, stage productions and constant discoveries expressing and celebrating design.
(left) Shirin Askari, DIFFA Style Council Member Bri Crum, Alison Volk and DIFFA Style Council Member Leigh Bailey
(top right) Tara Harper and Courtney Kerr (bottom right) Cheryl Wyly and Monica Greene
(top right) Tara Harper and Courtney Kerr (bottom right) Cheryl Wyly and Monica Greene
(top left) Steve Kemble and Yvonne Crum (top right) (top left) Khanh Nguyen, DIFFA Style Council Member Lexi Hammonds, Ana Pettus and Nini Nguyen (bottom left) Scot and Gina Ginsburg (bottom right) Glenn Pakulak and Matt Nordgren
Here are a few video highlights of the after-party extravaganza:
Daylon Pereira from the upcoming Bravo TV show "Most Eligible: Dallas" strutted the runway and was cheered on by his cast who were there to support him and fellow cast mate, Drew Ginsburg, who was named to the 2011 DIFFA Style Council.
One of the many entertainment segments featured a Michael Jackson look-a-like dancer who's torso was body-painted in elaborate style.
DIFFA's mission is to raise money and grant those funds to organizations which fight HIV/AIDS by providing preventative education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection, treatment and direct care services for people living with/impacted by HIV/AIDS and that support public policy initiatives which add resources to private sector funds.
