Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA) will launch its 16th annual Dining by Design multi-city tour with a gala dinner and cocktail event as part of the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, March 21 – 24.
The Toledos
This year, DIFFA will honor two of its greatest supporters, Isabel & Ruben Toledo, famed designers and artists, as well as longtime board member Rick Wolf.
The Toledo’s, who will receive the annual Rockwell Service Award, and Wolf, who will be presented with the Unsung Hero Award, will be honored at the Gala celebration taking place tomorrow night as a kick-off to Dining by Design.
The event will bring together some of the most talented and celebrated individuals in the worlds of fashion, interior design, art and architecture to create spectacular, over-the-top dining environments.
The tour, which in past years has raised more than $14 million for DIFFA, will feature dining installations by prominent design luminaries including: David Rockwell, David Stark, Michael Amini, Margaret Russell, Aerin Lauder, Alfredo Paredes, Barry Dixon, Vern Yip, James Magni, Rachel Laxer, TUG Studio, Michael Aram, Arpad Baska and Marc Blackwell, as well as students and emerging designers.
David Rockwell for Maya Romanoff table design
“We are thrilled to be able to honor Isabel & Ruben Toledo as well as Rick Wolf at this year’s Dining by Design,” said Felecia Webb, executive director of DIFFA. “Their generous spirit and long term commitment to DIFFA has been an amazing resource for our organization. We look forward to recognizing their amazing work!”
Supporters of DIFFA since its founding, Isabel & Ruben Toledo have spearheaded countless initiatives for the organization including involvement in the creation of the original DIFFA Love Balls in the Eighties, designing the graphics for the inaugural Dining by Design, mentoring the NYU Student Design Team in 2012, co-hosting DIFFA’s 25th Anniversary and many more.
Long time board member Rick Wolf, President of Wolf-Gordon, a wall covering company based in New York, has donated to DIFFA monthly through his company’s Gift of Hope Program, raising over $1 Million since the mid-nineties. As one of the most consistent and caring figures in DIFFA’s history, Rick Wolf’s contributions have had an had a substantial impact for years.
Cindy Allen, editor in chief of Interior Design Magazine, is DIFFA's Chairman of the Board and was instrumental in this year's event.
Guests at the gala dinner on Thursday will dine within the design installations. Tickets are available at $500.
The public may view tables starting Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23 from 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Sunday until 6:00 p.m. Tickets available at $30 and include access to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show.
Cocktails by Design takes place Saturday, March 23, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., featuring treats from NYC’s top restaurants and gourmet food purveyors paired with La Crema wine and Patrón cocktails. Tickets are available at $200.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the website or call 212-727-3100.
