New York, NY (September 7, 2017) — Last night DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS hosted its largest and most successful Picnic By Design to-date with over $50,000 raised toward its grant making efforts. Nearly 250 people filled the vast rooftop space at Stage 48, with stunning views of New York City, to enjoy a festive evening in support of DIFFA. Twenty leading designers created and donated vibrant themed picnic baskets filled with picnic treats and essentials for attendees to bid on and win in the Picnic By Design auction.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity from our designers, sponsors, and guests,” said Johanna Osburn, DIFFA Executive Director. Representing a range of design disciplines, our supporters fuel our efforts to help fight HIV/AIDS across the country. Our community comes together to share their creativity and works with us to support organizations who are providing education, direct services, and prevention efforts for  thousands of people impacted by HIV.”

Picnic by Design attendees enjoyed gourmet picnic fare and sipped Tito’s Handmade Vodka with mint lemonade while perusing 22 uniquely designed picnic baskets. Each basket had a unique theme, many celebrating food and travel, including “A Night in Tunisia” by Antoinette Loupé, to “Picnic In Provence” by Stacy Garcia and “A Romantic Sojourn” by Ted Moudis. The baskets included high-end picnic accouterments, a variety of wines and spirits and, in some cases, tickets for exclusive tours, dinners, and shows.

“I am honored to have been chosen to design a basket this year. It’s a fun challenge to create a visually appealing and functional display that will be bid on and carried home!” said Stacy Garcia. “Picnic By Design is always a great event full of old and new friends and inspiring displays. I was drawn to DIFFA’s work as a designer and ally for the LGBTQ community. I have friends that unfortunately lost their battle with HIV and I support DIFFA in their honor.”

The 2017 designers included: Andrea Schumacher Interiors, Antoinette Loupé, Canard Inc, Dwell Studio, FXFOWLE, Gensler/StudioTK/LUUM Textiles, jesGORDON/properFUN x Dirt Cobain, Lladró, Matouk, Mitchell Hill, Michele Alfano Design in partnership with Tiago Fonseco, NPZ Style & Décor, Scott Brogan Group, Stacy Garcia Inc., Sheila Bridges – Harlem Toile, Stillwell Events NYC with Elegant Affairs NYC, Ted Moudis Associates, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Vanessa Deleon Associates, Wills Design Associates, World of Wonder’s “DragCon Basket” styled by Tyler Wisler and Yetta Banks for Viacom.

This year’s sponsors included: Blanco, Bolon, Design Lab @ Bell Works, DXV, DRS Associates, EGE, Flaneur, Innomark, Maya Romanoff, NTT Industries, New York Design Center, StudioTK, Robert Allen Duralee Group and The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show.

Picnic by Design celebrates creative expression while raising funds and engaging designers in DIFFA’s mission. Proceeds support DIFFA’s grants to HIV/AIDS direct service organizations and programs in New York City and across the country.

For more information about DIFFA and its fundraising efforts visit www.diffa.org.

About DIFFA:

DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS raises awareness and grants funds to organizations that fight HIV/AIDS by providing treatment and direct care services for people living with or impacted by the disease, offering preventative education programs targeted to populations at risk of infection, or supporting public policy initiatives. DIFFA is one of the largest funders of HIV/AIDS service and education programs in the United States, mobilizing the immense resources and creativity of the design community. Since its founding in 1984, DIFFA has emerged from a grassroots organization into a national foundation based in New York City with chapters and community partners across the country that, working together, have provided more than $42 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. www.diffa.org.

Media Contacts:

DIFFA
Shanea Phillips
sphillips@diffa.org
646-380-4195

Novità Communications
Katie Bone
Katie@novitapr.com
212-528-3160 x17

Katherine Smythe
Katherine@novitapr.com
212-528-3160 x22