Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS: DIFFA/Dallas recently announced the Style Council Ambassadors for the 2008 Jacket Collection themed, Cinéma de la vie, chaired by DIFFA/Dallas Board of Trustee Neale Jones. Former Ambassador Don Gaiser (Associate, McKool Smith Law Firm) serves as Style Council Chairman for the season.

The announcement was made by Modern Luxury Dallas publisher Terri Provencal as 2008 Ambassadors took to the runway between local Dallas designer Abi Ferrin and Project Runways Malan Breton’s Spring 2008 Collections.

“Style Council Ambassadors have become an integral element of DIFFA/Dallas Collection,” says honorary chair Don Gaiser. “As fundraisers, Ambassadors contribute a significant amount of the dollars raised during Collection. Additionally each Ambassador is required to volunteer at an AIDS Service Organization to understand the full-impact of those dollars.”

2008 Style Council Ambassadors include:

• Alexa Cervantes, Heir to the Primo’s throne and fashion connoisseur
• Jacob Cross, Live Nation and House of Blues Dallas Marketing Coordinator
• Friley Davidson, Telecommunications Entrepreneur, Film Producer and Philanthropist
• Ferrell Drum, CEO, Garland Insulating LTD.
• Holly Forsythe, Co-owner and creator of Sambuca Restaurant chain, critically acclaimed interior designer and renowned Nightlife Diva of Dallas
• Geoffrey Henning, Women’s Design Director at JC Penney and Industry Renowned Fashion Illustrator
• Alana Brady King, Real Estate Administrative Assistant and Avid Accessory Collector
• Bryan Long, Owner and Designer of Manic Botanic Florist
• Jennifer Miller, Associate Director of Public Relations for Neiman Marcus Direct
• Kristi Nelson, Television News Anchor, Up and Coming Fashionista and Witty Woman of the World
• Christina Seeger Pacetti
• Jose Reyes, AT&T Account Executive, Philanthropist and Sultan of Style
• Roman Smith, AT&T Corporate Services Executive, Drama Queen and Local Celebrity
• Samuel Styles, Vice President, Director of Marketing for Northern Trust
• Greta Stogner Owner Stogner Insurance, “The Insurance Lady” and shoe fanatic
• Shane Walker, Celebrity floral artist, special event creator, and owner of Shane Walker Design

“With everything from restaurant owners to fashion designers the 2008 Style Council Ambassadors are a talented group of individuals. We commend their hard-work and dedication in the fight against HIV and AIDS,” says DIFFA/Dallas Board Trustee and Collection Chairman Neale Jones.

DIFFA/Dallas was founded in 1988 and holds the distinction of being the largest and most successful DIFFA chapter in the nation. The Jacket Collection event is the organization’s largest annual event and signature event for which it is known nationally. The event centers on an auction of more than 100 Arizona denim jackets from JC Penney, which have been redesigned, restructured and reworked into unforgettable works of one-of-a-kind art. The live/silent auctions take place throughout the evening that includes a dinner and runway show that rivals those of New York and Milan.

Cinéma de la vie will be held February 23, 2008 at The Hilton Anatole Hotel. For ticket and table sales information call 214.748.8580, email gkelly.dallas@diffa.org, or buy online at www.diffadallas.org.