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co-produced many of the shows since DIFFA's inception, along with Brian Brothers of Planet Productions, who has produced every single show but one. Everyone was inspired. "We grabbed the concept and went with it." The rest, as they say, is sartorial and philanthropic history. In 1989, the first DIFFA denim-jackets auction and runway show — produced by Duane Jeffers at the Dallas Infomart — pulled in $100,000 that night, including $10,000 for a Bob Mackie-designed horse- head jacket. The event was a huge hit with both the community and designers. During the ensuing decades, Levi Strauss & Co., JCPenney and Old Navy donated hundreds of denim jackets to DIFFA Dallas so that celebrities and fashion designers could modify and decorate them, from Gaultier to Karl Lagerfeld, Siegfried & Roy to Jennifer Lopez and the Muppets. "Neiman Marcus was instrumental from the very beginning in connecting DIFFA with their cadre of top fashion designers," says Donna, who now serves as VP of marketing for John Varvatos DIFFA/Dallas is the national foundation's largest and most successful chapter, granting more than $6 million to North Texas AIDS service organizations. To celebrate 25 years in the fight against HIV/AIDS, join DIFFA/Dallas SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2015, at the Omni Dallas Hotel downtown, for the anniversary black tie gala, including silent and live auction, seated dinner, the legendary DIFFA/Dallas House of DIFFA No. 25 runway production and after party, produced by co-creative directors Brian Brothers of Planet Productions and Rhonda Sargent Chambers of RSC Productions. For tickets and information, 214.748.8580 or visit diffadallas.org. 1995 1996 1998 1997 2000 2001 1999 The show, produced by Stephen Burrus* and Krista Welch, was sponsored by Starbucks and included a coffee bar; Neiman Marcus sponsored the denim-jacket exhibition across an eight-city tour including stops in San Francisco, L.A. and Chicago. Theme: "A REVIVAL," chaired by Kent Munson*; produced by Neiman Marcus NorthPark, and held in the parking lot; denim jackets provided by Old Navy; designer Isaac Mizrahi attended. Theme: "ART RAGEOUS," chaired by Jo Marie Lilly; honorary chair Nancy Hamon; held at the International Apparel Mart; produced by Jan Strimple and Brian Brothers; designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka of Badgley Mischka attended. Theme: "THE GREATEST COLLECTION ON EARTH," Theme: "LEGENDARY," chaired by Dr. Kevin Terrell; held at International Apparel Mart; first Legends Award given to Dolores Milhous. Theme: "ODDYSSEY," chaired by John Clutts. 8-CITY TOUR FIRST LEGENDS AWARD chaired by Scott Deakins; held at the Great Hall at Dallas Market Center; entertainment Cirque du Soleil performers; emceed by 1998 Miss America Kate Shindle, an AIDS activist; designer Todd Oldham in attendance; jackets donated by JCPenney and designed by Dolce & Gabbana, Lela Rose, Richard Tyler, Judith Leiber and Siegfried & Roy. HOUSE OF DIFFA Timeline From left: David Kiger, Simona Beal, Gillian Breidenbach, Don Gaiser, Joe Pacetti, Matrice Kirk, Rebecca Hallam. PHOTO SCOT AND KRISTI REDMAN