Known for being splashy, sassy and something to behold, the House of DIFFA fundraiser has always been an eye-popping extravaganza that oozes creativity with its OMG sights and sounds. And this year’s black-tie event at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel on Saturday, April 27, certainly was a royal feast for the eye thanks to the guests and those catwalking. Benefiting DIFFA Dallas, this year’s House of DIFFA: Royalty Untamed was presented by The Louis L. Borick Foundation celebrating with a marching band and musical royalty. Here’s a report from the field:
The fashion was unleashed at DIFFA Dallas’ annual black-tie gala, The Louis L. Borick Foundation House of DIFFA: Royalty Untamed on Saturday, April 27 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. Over 1,200 attendees were treated to an evening of fashion, musical performances, and the opportunity to bid on the legendary luxury jacket auction.
The evening started with a cocktail hour where guests including Chris Kimbrough, James Cagle, Marjon and Gibbs Henderson, Eric Bright and Seth Brown, enjoyed beverages including the signature cocktail, The Crown, while they took turns taking photos on the red carpet and admiring each attendee’s attire and interpretation of this year’s theme.
Models could be seen on a platform showcasing each of the custom jackets in the luxury silent auction while guests including Daniel Davila, Scott Leak, Gabriella Monte, Julian Leaver, Brandon Bell and Francisco Diaz had the opportunity to bid on over 80 jackets, including pieces from Jessica Jesse, Cathey Miller, Travis Austin, Tex Motion, Balmain Paris and Daniela Pasqualini. Attendees also got to view items in the silent auction that included items from Matthew Trent, DHV Artworks, The Rug Company, and Beverly’s.
atrons including Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Marisa Howard and Madelaine Lam were then led into the ballroom that had been transformed by light projections and sound to make it feel like they had entered into the animal kingdom. As the lights dimmed and the show began, House of DIFFA: Royalty Untamed unfolded as dancers from the Dallas Black Dance Theater took the stage to perform a moving number to Andra Day’s “Rise Up” while videos from DIFFA’s grant beneficiaries played throughout the ballroom.
DIFFA Dallas’s Board Chair Michael Buss took to the runway to welcome the crowd to the 32nd House of DIFFA in his best royal attire of a crown and cape, while the rest of the DIFFA Dallas Board of Trustees stood on the stage platform as Buss introduced this year’s Event Co-Chairs Tim Garippa and Jacob Samson.
Garippa and Samson, both wearing suits by Hive And Colony, took to the runway to share about their passion for DIFFA and its mission, to remind guests the reason for the evening’s celebrations. The night’s theme was to pay homage to the trailblazers who have tirelessly championed the cause of advocating for the fight against HIV/AIDS and embodying the spirit of modern-day royalty, including a young girl named Bella Gray, who has benefited from one of DIFFA Dallas’ grant beneficiaries, Elevate North Texas, and who’s fashion would be showcased during the event.
“Bella is a queen in her own right and a great example of what led to tonight’s theme, Royalty Untamed,” Garippa said. “Our vision stemmed from the desire to recognize the diverse spectrum of contributors in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Whether supporting local initiatives, making an impact on the global stage, or helping influence others to reduce stigma, our world has been shaped by the tireless efforts of many around us…our own version of royalty.”
DIFFA Board members then took the stage again to recognize the evening’s award recipients including Legacy of Love Awardee Steve Borick, Legend in the Fight Against AIDS Awardee the Reverend Dr. Neil G. Thomas, Community Hero Awardee Steven Pace and Excellence in Design Awardee Keith Carlisle.
Following the honoring of the evening’s award recipients, the 2024 Style Council Ambassadors including Kameron Westcott and Tiffany Forsberg graced the House of DIFFA runway. Style Council Ambassadors are an esteemed group of professional, civil, and social leaders who aid in DIFFA Dallas’ mission to generate awareness and raise funds for the deserving North Texas AIDS service organizations.
As dinner service began, Q the Band featuring Grammy nominated artist and winner of The Voice Australia, graced the stage with mesmerizing performances of Dua Lipa’s “Dance the Night Away” on an electric violin and saxophone, Whitney Houston’s “I Want To Dance With Somebody” and Beyonce’s “Love On Top” that had guests including Daisha Board, Catherine Gibson-Luba and Justin Chavez out of their seats dancing in the aisles throughout dinner.
Before the live auction, Buss returned to the stage again to announce the winner of the live car raffle pull, with the winner getting their choice of any vehicle from any DFW Sewell dealership, with an MSRP value of up to $55,000.
Buss then introduced comedian and auctioneer Dana Goldberg who has raised over $50M for non-profits around the country. Goldberg took to the runway to start the lively live auction where guests had the opportunity to bid on exclusive items and experiences, including an Aspen Gay Ski Week, a week in Puerto Vallarta for twelve, a luxurious Colorado retreat with private sauna, a Málaga, Morocco and the Canary Islands cruise, rejuvenate and luxuriate at Mara’s Med Spa, and a shopping spree at Allan Knight. Once all the items had been bid on, Goldberg was notified that the winner of the Crested Butte Vacation package wanted to re-donate the item to someone else to bid for the opportunity for more funds to go back to DIFFA Dallas.
Following the live auction, Goldberg invited Steve Borick to come to the stage to thank him for his support of DIFFA Dallas and introduce the Fund-A-Grant goal, and Borick challenged the crowd for their support and that every dollar donated will be matched.
Goldberg then invited Bella, who the House of DIFFA Co-Chairs had mentioned earlier in the evening, to the stage to showcase a dress she designed and to say a few words to the crowd, words so moving it made the whole room almost silent.
“I have heard a few people say that they are surprised that I am here tonight, and maybe if they had left the backstage door unlocked, I wouldn’t be here,” Gray said.
“In all honesty, four months ago when I got kicked out of my house for not being accepted, I didn’t think I would be here either. Four months ago, I wished I wouldn’t be here and I wished I wasn’t alive because I thought the only thing that life had to offer was the pain and suffering, I had felt the first 18 years of my life. But Elevate really stepped in at a time when I needed the most and since then I have met such amazing people that have showed me that life is more than the pain, lies and the hurt I felt.”
Gray then thanked many friends in the room at Elevate and DIFFA Dallas for giving her a support system. “Finally, thank you DIFFA so much for showing me I can do anything I set my mind to with about 90% caffeine in my blood and a little better time management.” The crowd including Jainy Selvakumar, Ken Weber, Payton Martin, Steve Lopez and Robbie Kruithoff erupted in cheers and applause of encouragement for her.
Goldberg then started the “Fund-A-Grant” moment that helps DIFFA Dallas’ mission of raising funds to support North Texas organizations, like Elevate, with grants to make the most impact. After hearing Bella’s story, the audience was moved to support the cause and bid paddles quickly went in the air and the goal was exceeded with over a quarter of a million dollars raised, more than doubling the previous Fund-A-Grant record.
Following the record-breaking fundraising moment, Goldberg introduced the highly anticipated fashion show. Patrons, including LeeAnne Locken, Brad Pritchett and David Chadd watched as the room was transformed into the golden halls of Versailles with kings and queens gracing the runway.
The fashion then traveled to the animal kingdom and under the sea. Halfway through the show, the Dallas Black Dance Theater took to the stage to perform in DIFFA Jackets, showcasing the iconic auction pieces that are a pillar of the event. The next scene showcased music royalty with different models walking the runway dressed as icons including Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, David Bowie, Janet Jackson and ending with Beyonce and Madonna. To kick off the final scene of the show, “Homecoming,” the world-renowned and internationally-famed Southern University Marching Band had the whole room standing and cheering as they performed while models walked the runway dressed as high school heroes and started the show’s grand finale.
After the finale, models, show producer Robyn Chauvin, Garippa and Samson led attendees to the after-party downstairs in the Sheraton Hotel Dallas lobby bar where the party kept going with guests staying until early in the morning.
Sponsors of the evening include The Louis L. Borick Foundation, Ben E. Keith, Diageo, Headington Companies, Sewell, Vistra Energy, Neiman Marcus, Identity Spirits, Champion Healthcare of North Texas, Gilead, Balmain Paris, Deloitte, Jackson Durham Luxury Event Design. Sheraton Dallas Hotel, The Village Dallas, Allan Knight, Encore, In Depth Events, Nuage Designs, Cybris Productions, The Media Socialites, Panton Digital Solutions, PaperCity, Plug Public Relations and Robyn Chauvin Productions.
* Photo Credits: Tamytha Cameron ** Photo credit: Danny Campbell *** Photo credit: Thomas Garza **** Francesca Nelo
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