Welcome to the Dreamstate

Dreamy DIFFA Dallas gala invites glammed-up guests into surreal soiree

We're always in favor of a gala where you can turn up wearing pajamas, but when that gala is House of DIFFA, those PJs had better be glam.

The 2025 theme combined the eerie with the ethereal: Dreamstate, which DIFFA describes as "a surreal realm where the power of dreams fuels transformation and fantasy gives way to fearless impact."

And this year's guests were definitely not sleeping. Along with silky, slinky, sequined pajama sets and even a bit of racy lingerie, attendees at this avant-garde fashion extravaganza interpreted the theme in myriad ways: fairy wings, lacy masks, crowns, and plenty of ballgowns, rhinestone tuxedos, and high heels (on all genders) tall enough to rival skyscrapers.

Chaired by Payton Martin and Jacob Samson and sponsored by the Louis L. Borick Foundation, the May 3 evening began with a private VIP cocktail hour. Then the masses could descend on the Sheraton Dallas Hotel for a vibrant two hours of sipping specialty drinks, posing for photographers, and bidding on both the silent auction items and legendary jacket collection.

DIFFA 2025 Midsummer night scene in the runway show.Photo by Thomas Garza

These custom, one-of-a-kind jackets were all created exclusively for DIFFA Dallas, and included pieces from both local and global designers. The extensive silent auction offered everything from luxury fashion and jewelry to artwork, spa services, furniture, decor, and exclusive dining and travel experiences, with all proceeds benefiting HIV/AIDS service organizations across North Texas.

This year's beneficiaries include:

AIDS Interfaith Network
AIDS Outreach Center
AIDS Services of Dallas
AIDS Walk South Dallas
CAN Community Health
Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ
Children's Medical Center ARMS Clinic
Cook Children's Health Foundation
Dallas Hope Charities
East Texas Cares Resource Center
Elevate North Texas
Greg Dollgener Memorial AIDS Fund
Health Services of North Texas
HELP Center for LGBT Health and Wellness
Legacy Cares
Legal Hospice of Texas
Open Arms, Inc. - Bryan's House
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas
Prism Health North Texas
Resource Center of Dallas
A Sister's Gift
Sonya's House
Tarrant County Samaritan Housing
White Rock Friends

A special display also showed off outfits and headgear worn by such stars as Madonna, Shania Twain, Chappel Roan, and Zoe Saldaña in music videos, photo shoots, and on the red carpet.

When the doors of the Lone Star Ballroom were thrown open, guests quickly sought their seats so that the program and three-course dinner could commence.

Following remarks from the co-chairs and DIFFA Dallas board chair Ken Weber, the lady herself presented the Donna Fishel Community Hero Award to Todd Bacon, pastor of White Rock Community Church and community liaison for White Rock Friends.

For the last 30 years, White Rock Friends has been committed to the health and well-being of its community, providing hot meals on weekends (one of the first and only in DFW) and running a "general store" that supplies personal care and household cleaning products to those in need.

Then the DIFFA board of trustees got their moment in the spotlight, with waves of applause for Jacob Samson, Brandon Bell, Rick Castillo, Jonathan Flores, Steve Lopez, Paige Westhoff, Richard Rivas, David Chadd, Jainy Selvakumar, Danny Acevedo, Rhiannon Bolen, Christi Meril, J.R. Shoman, JR Hernandez, and Eric Bright.

Strutting the runway next were the 2025 DIFFA Dallas Style Council Ambassadors: Ashley Anderson Smith, Sonya Morfor, Bill Moore, Korey Williams, Shelle Carrig, Amy Baumann, Lisa Endicott, Clayton Nabors, Chad Collom, Deborah Bowles, Sonia Simmons, Sierre Tuthill, Kelly Wolfenberger, Kelli Seliger, Danny Cabrera, Steven Hoyl, and Abbe Fenimore.

DIFFA 2025 Booker T. Washington Senior Modeling Luxury Jacket Photo by Danny Campbell

To introduce the recipient of the Candy Long Excellence in Fashion Award, Erykah Badu surprised the crowd in an oversized hat and floor-length black veil. She revealed the winner to be Swedish-born activist and costume designer B. Åkerlund, who has outfitted some of the world's most iconic artists such as Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, and Britney Spears.

Comedian Dana Goldberg returned as auctioneer, leading both a spirited paddle raise and a bidding race for such elite live-auction packages as a week in Puerto Vallarta, a villa stay in Costa Rica, a South African safari for two, a colorful painting of Dolly Parton titled Born With a Good Heart by Ashley Longshore, an in-home private chef dinner for six, a jaunt to Cortana, Italy, and a romantic Turks & Caicos escape for two.

This led into the much-anticipated fashion show, which opened with a "Diamonds Are Forever" James Bond tableau and then ran the gamut from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to "Rhinestone Rodeo." At different points, the enraptured audience experienced dancers from Ballet North Texas, live musicians scattered across the T-shaped runway, and pajama-clad phone operators cooing to their callers. It was, as always, an over-the-top night to remember

DIFFA Dallas' signature fundraising events continue throughout the year, with Burgers & Burgundy set for October 9 and the Holiday Wreath Collection happening in winter. The 2026 House of DIFFA will take place May 9, 2026, at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

Since 1984, DIFFA has granted millions of dollars to North Texas HIV/AIDS programs by raising funds through the production of incredible events highlighting the design community. DIFFA is one of the largest and most successful fundraising organizations for HIV/AIDS nonprofit service providers and education programs within Texas, New York, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Washington.

DIFFA is the only HIV/AIDS organization in Texas that provides non-earmarked funding exclusively to HIV/AIDS service efforts in our communities, thus providing for the direct care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. Dallas is DIFFA's largest fundraising chapter. The unique design-focused events DIFFA Dallas holds include Burgers and Burgundy, DIFFA Wreath Celebration, and House of DIFFA.

Photo by Danny Campbell

Patrik Simpson, Pol'atteu

fundraisers fashion show celebrities fashion galas

Crystal Charity

Dallas' 10 Best Dressed celebrate in final downtown Neiman Marcus fete

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Libby Ornani, Lindy Berkeley, Cate Ford

The guiding theme for the 2026 Crystal Charity Ball, as chosen by president Jennifer Dix, is "Joy For the World." And while the 554 guests at this year's Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas Fashion Show and Luncheon had plenty to be joyful about, they had reason to feel wistful, too.

Photo by Ashley Gongora

Libby Ornani, Lindy Berkeley, Cate Ford

The September 17 gathering - the organization's 52nd edition - would be the last one held at the Neiman Marcus downtown flagship before the store closes permanently on September 30. It was, in fact, the final event at the 117-year-old Dallas institution.

For many of Dallas' most stylish and philanthropic women, that meant one final ride on the elevators ("I always thought these were haunted," one attendee said as the doors opened.). It meant one final glimpse of the dazzling jewelry cases and luxury shoe displays, and one last chance to chat with favorite store associates (some, but not all, will be moving over to the NorthPark store).

The Ten Best Dressed honorees for 2026.Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Champagne flowed as hundreds of guests, dressed in their late-summer best, ascended the staircase into the department store on the arms of dapper gents. At the appointed time, everyone headed upstairs for the main event: the presentation of the Ten Best Dressed honorees and a fashion show featuring this year's featured designer, Dallas favorite Carolina Herrera.

The crowd was given a warm welcome by Dix, fashion show chair Kim Quinn, and Geoffroy van Raemdonck and Mary McGreevy of Exemplar Luxury Group, Neiman Marcus' parent company.

"Today we honor the memories that each of you have for the downtown store, including the five decades of Crystal Charity events that have been held within these four walls. And while all these incredible moments have occurred right here, the true magic of Neiman Marcus is all around the city with each and everyone one of you," McGreevy told the audience. "As we look forward to our future and continuing our legacy of Neiman Marcus at NorthPark, we will celebrate more events, we will celebrate with elevated shopping experiences, and our newly reimagined Zodiac Room, which will be opening right before the holidays."

Mistress of ceremonies, NBC 5 anchor and Ten Best Dressed hall of famer Meredith Land, then took over the proceedings to announce each 2026 Best-Dressed honoree and her impressive list of achievements in education, business, civic involvement, and philanthropy.

This year's honorees were: Haley Anderson, Jacquelin Sewell Atkinson, Julie Bagley, Shelby Goff, Shannon Graham, Tracey Kozmetsky, Tracy Lange, Erin Mathews, Felicia Powell, and Katherine Wyker. Each walked the runway in a stunning Carolina Herrera design, smiling and waving to friends and family (including a few well-behaved tots) in the audience.

Ten Best Dressed Hall of Fame honoree Tavia Hunt with Clark Hunt.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Tavia Hunt, escorted by husband Clark Hunt (and wearing Kansas City Chiefs' red), was presented as the 2026 Hall of Fame honoree, a designation that recognizes a former Ten Best Dressed honoree for her personal style and continued commitment to the community.

Nancy Nasher, escorted by her husband and NorthPark co-owner David Haemisegger, was introduced as honorary chair, becoming only the eighth person in the event's history to hold the title.

The fashion show encompassed selections from Carolina Herrera's Resort 2027 and Winter 2027 collections. The brand's creative director, Wes Gordon, explained that the Resort 2027 collection drew inspiration from women who changed the visual language of modern art, with Georgia O'Keeffe at its center. The Winter 2027 collection looked to Old Hollywood glamour.

Luncheon honorary chair Nancy A. Nasher and David J. HaemiseggerPhoto by Ashley Gongora

The post-fashion show luncheon offered another nod to Neiman Marcus history, with a menu featuring favorites from the Zodiac Room: mandarin orange soufflé, Neiman Marcus chicken salad, summer fruits, a petite muffin, and flourless chocolate cake.

Stewards kept glasses filled with Bisol NV Jeio Prosecco and Neiman Marcus Chardonnay, while tablemates reminisced about their years of shopping at the store, lunching at Zodiac, enjoying breakfasts with Santa during the holidays, bridal-gown shopping with friends, and so much more.

As the event ended and guests made their way to the valet stand (with their goody bags containing a Carolina Herrera Good Girl fragrance), some took one last look around the store that has been a Dallas fixture for generations.

Ten Best Dressed 2026 Attendees got one last chance to mingle at Neiman Marcus Downtown.Photo by Ashley Gongora

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the afternoon, were Libby Ornani, Lindy Berkeley, Cate Ford, Amir Rozwadowski, Charlotte Jones, Gene Jones, Jerry Jones, Nancy Rogers, Wasan Alfalahi, Annika Cail, Vivian Lombardi, Ashley Hesser, Melanie Hanna, Jessica Steinke, Delilah Boyd, Sue Justice, Anne Seanor, Donna Weitzman, Cheryl Joyner, Tom Addis, Leslie Diers, Lupe Prado, Sophie Sugasti, Gillea Allison, Kim Elenez, Sakina Foster, Sharon Friedberg, Sheila Ray, Marie Quintana, Dana Edwards, Lianne Bernstein, Betty Anne Hunter, Louise LaManna, Jenise Young, Laura Mitchell, Marlene Cox, Elva Firstenburg, Libby Allred, Leigh Williams, Susie Sarich, Houston Striggow, Patti Brown, Sila Grogan, and hundreds more.

The Ten Best Dressed Fashion Show and Luncheon will continue in a new location, which has not yet been made public.

Ten Best Dressed is a major fundraiser for the Crystal Charity Ball, which, in 2026, will fund eight Dallas children's nonprofits with a collective commitment of $7,875,664: Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation, Catch Up & Read, Dallas LIFE, Equest, Jubilee Park & Community Center, Mercy Street, St. Philip & St. Augustine Catholic Academy, and To Be Like Me.

The black-tie gala on December 12 will cap off a year of fundraising by the Crystal Charity Ball committee and honor the donors who make the grants possible.

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