New York, NY (March 2016)—Next week, DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS will host its marquee event in support of its mission to raise funds for HIV/AIDS prevention, education and direct care. DINING BY DESIGN combines a worthy cause and exceptional design into a 5-day event (March 17-21) that raises $800,000 annually. Held at Pier 92 in NYC, this year’s Dining By Design is co-located with the Architectural Digest Design Show (3/17-20) at Pier 94. One ticket allows attendees access to both events.
“DINING BY DESIGN is a celebration of the design community’s generosity and creativity, gathering our biggest supporters together for a noble cause. As the support for this event continues to grow, the possibilities for DIFFA to increase awareness and touch more lives also grows. Our goal is to convey that HIV/AIDS is still a critical issue, while merging our passion for design to create a memorable experience that will raise much needed funds to make grants here in New York, and across the United States,” says Johanna Osburn, DIFFA’s Executive Director.
DINING BY DESIGN—known as one the design industry’s premier fundraisers—will feature table-top designs from almost 40 local and international designers, architects, manufacturers and retail brands. Each table sponsor transforms a raw space into a dining display, featuring vibrant colors, their latest products and a variety of themes—many tying in cause-related messaging to further raise awareness. This year, Gensler, 3form and Herman Miller have joined forces to create a display that features two AIDS awareness ribbons forming a heart. The motif illustrates the selflessness and generosity of DIFFA supporters and the larger fight against HIV/AIDS. Longtime DIFFA supporter and DINING BY DESIGN Media Sponsor Interior Design has incorporated “HOPE, LOVE, DIFFA” into their table design, a phrase that truly embodies the values and goals of the event.
Cindy Allen, DIFFA’s Board Chair and Editor In Chief of Interior Design Magazine, remarks, “DINING BY DESIGN is an opportunity to bring the design community together to spread love and bring hope to so many people. This extraordinary event gathers today’s most creative design visionaries, who bring their talent and passion to the table to support a great cause and make a difference in our work! I continue to be truly inspired by our community’s generosity and dedication, year after year! We are all ‘ONE’ for DIFFA!”
As part of DIFFA’s Student Design Initiative, supported by the Angelo Donghia Foundation, DINING BY DESIGN will also feature three table designs from New York’s most prestigious schools. These student teams worked closely with industry professionals to design table installations incorporating the HIV/AIDS cause. This year’s teams and mentors are: Pratt Institute, mentored by Elizabeth Bolognino; New York School of Interior Design, mentored by Tyler Wisler, as well as Parsons The New School for Design, mentored by Jes Gordon.
The displays are available for viewing from Thursday until Sunday afternoon, and set the stage for two fundraising parties: Cocktails By Design (Thursday, March 17) and the DINING BY DESIGN Gala Dinner (Monday, March 21).
DINING BY DESIGN NY 2016 SPONSORS:
Event sponsors include: Henredon and Patron Tequila; Media Sponsors: Architectural Digest, Interior Design, Manhattan Magazine and The New York Times; Diamond Sponsors: 1stdibs, Benjamin Moore & Cosentino, Crate and Barrel and Gensler + 3form + Herman Miller; Platinum Sponsors, Gaggenau, Kravet, Inc., M Moser Associates, LAB at Rockwell Group & Roche Bobois, Rockwell Group + KNOLL and Sunbrella; Gold Sponsors, Arteriors, Bolon, CIRC0 ROUGE-DALLAS, Design Within Reach, Echo, Luxe Interiors + Design, Marc Blackwell, New Growth Designs, Nourison, Poltrona Frau, Ralph Lauren Home, Robert Allen @ Home, SA Baxter and Ingrao Inc as well as Industry Sponsor, New York Design Center.
Here is a schedule of events with more details:
COCKTAILS BY DESIGN
Thursday, March 17, 7-10PM
Designers and guests will mingle and explore the dazzling installations while sampling treats from NYC’s top restaurants and gourmet food purveyors. Patron will pair food with delicious wine, as well as cocktails. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on the silent auction featuring a wide array of art, photography, travel, hospitality experiences, and more.
Tickets are available at cocktailsbydesign.splashthat.com for $200 until capacity.
DINING BY DESIGN GALA
Monday, March 21, 6:30-11PM
At this special event, guests are invited to dine among the impressive installations with A&D industry friends and fellow fans of great design. The gala event includes cocktails and table-hopping, followed by an elegant seated VIP dinner, dancing and a silent auction.
General Admission Seat: $500 until March 13, or $600 thereafter. $1,000 Design Installation Seat (limited availability), available through https://www.501auctions.com/dbdny/tickets?type=1301
PUBLIC TABLE VIEWING
Attendees can explore the latest in design trends as they view the creative installations and shop the silent auction.
Thursday, March 17, 11 AM–3 PM, Open to Design Trade and VIP Consumer Ticket Holders. All tickets include admission to the Architectural Digest Design Show at Pier 94. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit DIFFA. Admission is complimentary for design-trade members who register online (requires two forms of professional credentials) and includes a one-year digital subscription to Architectural Digest. On-site design-trade tickets are $40. VIP Consumer tickets are $95 and include exclusive access to Design Trade Day, a gift bag, a one-year digital subscription to Architectural Digest, and admission to the Architectural Digest Design Show cocktail reception from 5–7 P.M. Tickets are good for re-entry throughout the duration of the show.
Friday, March 18-Saturday, March 19, 11AM-7PM, Sunday, March 20, 11AM-6PM. Open to the Public. Tickets are available at ADDesignShow.com. On site tickets are $40. Ticket price includes free access to The Architectural Digest Design Show. Tickets are good for re-entry throughout the duration of the show.
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 $41 million to hundreds of HIV/AIDS organizations nationwide. www.diffa.org.
About DINING BY DESIGN:
DINING BY DESIGN is DIFFA’s marquee event showcasing designers, manufacturers and creative individuals who bring their vision and passion to the table. Running from March 17 – 20, 2016, in conjunction with the Architectural Digest Design Show at Pier 92, DINING BY DESIGN features an array of dining installations on display for four days, and includes exclusive special events. All event proceeds goes toward DIFFA’s work to fight HIV/AIDS and to raise awareness that the fight against HIV/AIDS is not over and demonstrate the power we have to combat this disease.
Media Contacts:
DIFFA
Shanea Phillips
sphillps@diffa.org
Novita PR
Alexandra Zwicky
alexandra@novitapr.com