NEW YORK -- Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) is has announced the launch of DIFFA BY DESIGN, to be held Thursday, March 26 - Saturday, March 28 at an all-new location in the heart of Manhattan.
DIFFA has transformed its signature annual fundraiser DINING BY DESIGN into a three-day immersive design experience at Center 415 (415 Fifth Avenue, NYC). The event features a myriad of inspiring installations, a cash and carry boutique featuring the latest in luxury home accessories, gifts, original art, and a series of conversations and interactive workshops led by top voices in the industry. Funds support DIFFA's grant-making efforts to benefit those living and affected by HIV/AIDS.
"2020 is the start of a significant new decade, one in which cities across the country including our home base of New York City are working to end the AIDS epidemic through preventative care. Yet with the recent discovery of a new HIV strain, clearly more work needs to be done," says Dawn Roberson, DIFFA's executive director.
"We see this as a pivotal moment to take action and to call attention to those organizations that provide treatment, direct care services, preventive education programs, and advocacy for individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS. As we look to continue to support and raise even more funds for our grantees, including Alpha Workshops, God's Love We Deliver, and Jerusalem House in Atlanta, we have expanded and transformed our signature event into a three-day confluence of design, art, hospitality and shopping, Roberson continued.
The new DIFFA BY DESIGN harnesses our industry's creative culture to create a truly unique and interactive experience. "Design is a powerful tool and, in this instance, it's a call to action to help make a DIFFArence for those affected by HIV/AIDS. We're calling on our community of architects, designers, artists and manufacturers to create environments that astound, inspire, and most importantly, raise money for such an important cause," says Cindy Allen, DIFFA board chair and Interior Design's editor-in-chief.
Guests will have the opportunity to experience DIFFA BY DESIGN through a number of different installations, special events, and activations including:
DIFFA BY DESIGN
DIFFA BY DESIGN invites local and international architects, designers, manufacturers, retailers and other creatives to design extraordinary vignettes. This year's event will feature an expanded array of entertaining and culinary solutions. Participants will transform a raw space into an immersive exhibit highlighting a unique design concept. Sponsors include Benjamin Moore, Cosentino, EvensonBest, Gensler, Interior Design, Knoll, Manhattan magazine, MENU, Miller Blaker, New York Design Center, Novità Communications, Rockwell Group, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Walker Ridge Construction, among others.
DIFFA BOUTIQUE AND PUBLIC VIEWING
The all-new DIFFA boutique features a curated selection of high-end home accessories, unique gifts, and original art. Visitors shop the latest in upscale interiors from world-renowned designers and artists.
Installations will be open during show hours Friday, March 27 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., with a suggested donation of $10 for entrance.
CONVERSATIONS ON DESIGN
The DIFFA BY DESIGN Theater will host a series of design-oriented talks geared toward trade and consumers. Led by respected design professionals and tastemakers, the conversations will cover everything from professional tips of the trade to do-it-yourself consumer projects.
Tentative times are Friday, March 27 at 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 28 at 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
Other special events include:
DBD GALA Chef's Tasting Menu
Thursday, March 28, 2020 from 5:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Guests mix and mingle with internationally renowned designers, architects and innovators, view the latest in high-design upscale interiors, and receive early access to shop the DIFFA boutique, all the while savoring bountiful culinary offerings from New York's top restaurants and gourmet food purveyors paired with specialty cocktails from Tito's Handmade Vodka.
Tickets:
VIP Experience: $400 ($350 early bird rate)
Early shopping and VIP lounge access from 5:30 - 10:30 p.m.
General Admission: $250 ($200 early bird rate)
Shopping, dining, and viewing from 6:30 -10:30 p.m.
After Party: $125 ($100 early bird rate)
Dessert, viewing, and shopping from 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.
DIFFA PLUS HAPPY HOUR:
Friday, March 27 from 5-7 p.m.
This happy hour geared toward young professionals will celebrate the power of many over one and seeks to build a special community of passionate individuals from the design industry and beyond to make a DIFFArence.
Tickets: $50
For more information about DIFFA BY DESIGN, visit
diffa.org.