Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/865761
By Natalie Gempel Photography Joseph Brewster, Thomas Garza A camel and a Land Rover go to a party. The Land Rover has a "Win Me" sign plastered to its side. The camel has a long line of people in Gucci and Prada, all waiting their turn to take a photo. Where is this? Of course, it's the legendary House of DIFFA gala, this year titled Arabesque and held at the Omni Dallas, presented by Headington Companies' fashionable retailers (Forty Five Ten, TenOverSix, and Traffi c LA) and its Joule Hotel. Chiseled male models in leather pants, arm cuffs, and little else almost eclipsed the camel, but not quite. During cocktail hour, the DIFFA Dallas jacket collection was up for bid at the silent auction, including jackets designed by Alexander Wang, Carolina Herrera, and Moschino. The night's chairman, Sami Abboud, and DIFFA board chair Chuck Steelman brought the crowd to order before Natasha Bedingfi eld crashed the party. The British pop star strutted down the runway, belt- ing out her hits and a cover of Prince's "Purple Rain." The fashion show started with a shower of rose petals as the fi rst model made her entrance, followed by StyleCouncil members, belly dancers, a giant genie bottle, and horsemen. A George Michael Tribute lent another heartfelt moment. DIFFA DEVOTEES S t y l e C o u n c i l m e m - bers Gonzalo Bueno, Annika Cail, Justin (JC) Collins, Bill Corbellini, Caroline Kraddick, Suzi Ellis, Melissa Enriquez, Jenny Esping Kirtland, Faisal Halum, Lainie Kritser, Julian Leaver, Muffin Lemak, Josh Madans, Bina Palnitkar Patel, and Ann Sutherland. And guests Brian Bolke, Nancy Rogers, Anne and Steve Stodghill, Scott Kehn, David Sutherland, Debra Nelson, and Vivian Lombardi. 92 IF CAMELS COULD TALK Brian Bolke, Nancy Rogers Mark & Cary Deuber, Stephanie Seay, Julian Leaver Carol Quist, Patrick Tichacek David & Ann Sutherland, Jenifer Strauss, Bryan Curran Chuck Steelman, Natasha Bedingfi eld, Sami Abboud Gonzalo Bueno Faisal Halum Cearan Henley, Courtney Rider, Allan Knight Taylor Tomasi Hill, Rob Dailey Brian Brothers, Sami Abboud Rhonda Sargent Chambers, Densil Adams Shane Walker Billy Fulmer Kimberly & Dennis Collins