DIFFA "DINING BY DESIGN" Benefit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On March 23rd, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) hosted its 15th-annual Dining by Design fundraiser in New York at Pier 94, in conjunction with the Architectural Digest Home Show. It was hosted by fashion designer Tracy Reese and culinary master Geoffrey Zakarian and honored powerhouse fashion and design figures, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, long-time supporters of DIFFA, and Rick Wolf, showcasing more than 40 table settings devised by leaders in the design community.

The exhibition and gala dinner, held for the fourth year in a row at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, raised $650,000 for the charity. Ralph Lauren executive vice president and chief retail creative officer Alfredo Paredes—who had a hand in creating Ralph Lauren’s table—was honored with the first annual David Rockwell DIFFA Service Award, to recognize his efforts on behalf of the organization.

Benjamin Moore, a sponsor of the event, was put together by David Stark

Architectural Digest

The Architectural Digest Home Show is held at Pier 94 in New York City ever year, highlighting new artists, manufacturers and products. The show is also home to Dining By Design, an event that raises money and awareness for DIFFA, Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS, and is a big draw for designers, bloggers and show-goers alike. Interior designers, artists and schools pair with companies to create extravagant and emotional tablescapes and scenes. On the eve of the opening, a gala dinner is held where a few lucky diners get to experience sitting around these decorated tables.

Dining by Design Hostess, Fashion Designer Tracy Reese
with DIFFA Chairman and Editor in chief of
Interior Design Magazine  Cindy Allen

Interior Design Magazine, designed by Ali Tayar with Alejandro Cabrera, Parallel Design;
Wolf Gordon, printed wallcovering; Majid Jelveh, Jones Falls Furniture Co., and Planar

Cindy Allen with Flexform CEO David Levy Y. and Amir Kazerani

I was honored to be a guest of Flexform at the cocktail event.
Their tableau was designed by Dror's Christine Djerrahian with water conservation as the theme.

Profiles designed by James Magni

 Gensler/ Herman Miller. The walls were covered with Hershey Kisses
that the public was invited to pluck and sample

Eric Warner for Aesthete Ltd.

Inspecting the silent auction goodies

NYU was done by undergraduates mentored by David Rockwell & Barry Richards.
Stools, table base and wall decorations were created by interlocking wire hangers

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic Couture

Beyond Sushi Caterers delicious rolls were so popular, their station was mobbed throughout the whole event

NYDC (New York Design Center) interior by Thom Filicia

Silent auction offerings

Silent auction donors:

ddc, DEDON, Isabel Toledo Ent. Inc., Lenox Corporation, Martin Albert Interiors, Naula, Patrick Weder Design, Stephanie Odegard Collection, Ian George Art, LLC, Royal Botania/D'APOSTROPHE, Yale Wagner Photography, Axor, Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights, BLANCO, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Carpenter + Company, David Duncan Antiques, davistudio fine porcelain, Design Within Reach, Earl Nesbitt Fine Furniture, EFM Design: Emanuela Frattini Magnusson, Geoffrey Warner Studio, John Derian Company, Lee Calicchio Ltd., Michael Aram, Theory, Andaz Wall Street, Beacon Hill, Beyond Suchi, Chado Ralph Rucci, Charles P. Rogers, Chris Chase Salon, Christopher Flach, Comodo Food & Wine, Coverings 2013, D. Bryant Archie, DeGustibus Cooking School,Duravit, Dyson Inc., Henri Bendel, Isaac Mizrahi, Julia Knight, Inc., Leucos USA, Lily Pulitzer, Maya Romanoff, Michael C., MONICA CASTIGLIONI, Myriad Restaurant Group, philosophy, Raymi, Snaidero USA, Weitzner.

Pratt Institute. LEDs and lucite rods

Federico Delrosso Architects hosted by Corinthian Capital Group

Rachel Laxer Interiors with Robert Kuo

Kinky Boots/Maya Romanoff & Rockwell Group

Ralph Lauren Home

Fabricut setting designed by Vern Yip

Echo, a fashion company, now includes home goods

Tequila Patrón setting

Raymi Restaurant provided Peruvian morsels

The New York Times offered two table settings. This one designed by
Lady Tina Greenand Pietro Mingarelli for Lalique.

Second table for the New York Times by Frette 

DIFFA Trustee Marc Blackwell with friend

Le Boudoir de Madame By Keogh Design, Inc.

Charlene Bank Keogh of Keogh Design, Inc. and Adeline Olmer of French Secrets

Design Within Reach dramatic tableau

Michael Aram

Flexform's publicist Andrew Joseph in center with and Rio Hamilton of Niedermier at right

Marc Blackwell New York

Arteriors designed by Barry Dixon

Manhattan magazine and Fendi Casa designed by Inson Dubois Wood

PDU

AERIN and Lee Jofa

Elizabeth Bolognino Interiors

Sponsors:

La Crema, Patrón Tequila, Benjamin Moore, Merchandise Mart Properties, New York Design Center, One Kings Lane, Architectural Digest Magazine, Interior design Magazine, Manhattan Magazine, The New York Times.

DIFFA's wonderful volunteers!