DIFFA: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS will soon 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 collaborated with Ali Tayar to create “HOPE, LOVE, DIFFA.” The message, which embodies the values and goals of the event, is incorporated into the table’s design.
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).
