This past weekend, I was lucky enough to attend on of my favorite parties of the year - House of DIFFA. This year's theme was "Alter Ego" and the event was sold-out with an impressive attendance count of nearly 1,600 guests. DIFFA is one of the largest and most successful fundraising organizations aiding HIV/AIDS. The Dallas chapter, formed in 1984, is one of the largest HIV/AIDS organizations in Texas that provides funding to local HIV/AIDS Service Organizations within our community. DIFFA/Dallas has granted more than $8 million to 25 frontline HIV/AIDS Service Organizations in North Texas providing direct care to those living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Highlighting the design community, DIFFA/Dallas hosts multiple events throughout the season. Through your support and generosity, DIFFA/Dallas is able to make a significant impact within our community.
The opulent gala was hosted at the Omni Dallas Hotel, and featured a curated selection of one-of-a-kind tailored jackets by world-renown designers such as Zac Posen, Belvest, Frame, Robert Graham, Naeem Khan, Veronica Beard, Adam Lippes, Giuliana Teso, Dolce & Gabanna, Theory, Badgley Mischka, Dan & Joseph, Eileen Fisher, Ted Baker, Rulli Torres, Rodd & Gunn, Traffic LA at The Joule and many more. The event began with a cocktail party and silent auction sponsored by Ebby Halliday, where guests sipped on cocktails, mingled and browsed the selection of jackets in this year’s show.
Charitable patrons were then invited into the ballroom where they were entertained by dancers stationed throughout the room and as they took their seats for dinner. The program kicked off with the Style Council Ambassadors runway walk followed by a powerful speech by DIFFA/Dallas Board Chair Steve Weir and House of DIFFA co-Chairs Lee Borchert and Tim Garippa who stressed on "shining a light on our other self. The self that brings us strength to overcome all challenges and helps makes us who we are. Attending today is helping DIFFA Dallas achieve our mission of eliminating stigma, reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS, and providing critical care to those living with the disease." Awards were then presented to Christopher Baker (DIFFA/Dallas Young Professional of the Year), Gary Miller & Alan Pierce (Donna Fishel Community Hero Award), Children’s Medical Center of Dallas (Health Award), Global Views & Studio A Home (Excellence in Design Award), and Rhonda Sargent Chambers (Legend in the Fight Against AIDS). The crowd was then WOW’ED by a passionate performance by America’s Got Talent season 11 contestant and pop star Brian Crum.
Following the program, patrons were dazzled by a runway show featuring TenOverSix, Forty Five Ten and Traffic LA, with performances interlaced between the shows including a performance by Gwendolynne Murphy who embodied the Alter Ego theme with an exhilarating Marilyn Monroe/Marilyn Manson routine, and more. The night ended with a fashion show featuring the extravagant jackets culminating in this year’s House of DIFFA collection. After the show, guests were taken to the House of DIFFA After Party: Altered where tunes by DJ Blake Ward had guests dancing all night. Entertainment throughout the evening was sponsored by the Louis L. Borick Foundation.
DIFFA/Dallas’ Board Chair, Steve Weir, House of DIFFA: Alter Ego Event co-Chairs, Lee Borchert and Tim Garippa, mingled with celebrity guest Mischa Barton, and a crowd of Dallas’ charitable patrons including Anne and Steve Stodghill, Karen and Bill Seanor, Cearan Henley, Allan Knight, Darin Kunz, Clint Bradley, LeeAnne Locken, Krystal and Tommy DeAlano, Debra Nelson, Julian Leaver, Don Gaiser, Brittanie and Jason Oleniczak, Jane McGarry, and Heidi and Bill Dillon.
