admin “I see so many faces that have been here since the very beginning, and that happened over 20 years ago,” said Cindy Rachofsky, standing on the stage at the 24th TWO x TWO for AIDS and Art Gala fundraiser, presented by Saks. “It’s really extraordinary, and what I wish is that this crazy world that we live in right now understood love, compassion, and support as the group in this tent does.”
Rachofsky, who wore a white Carolina Herrera column dress with artful drapes, held court on the stage of the fundraiser gala dinner, exhibiting that signature Southern hospitality but on a grander scale—everything is bigger in Texas, yes, but in Dallas, it’s super-sized. Each year, she and her husband Howard welcome guests to their gleaming Richard Meier-designed home for an art-filled fundraising celebration that benefits two organizations: amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, and the Dallas Museum of Art. The clever double cause was conceived in an attempt to lure as many attendees as possible.
As for the format of the event, there’s a silent auction that takes place in the Rachofsky’s home. The multi-floor property, which upholds minimalist philosophies with its sparsely-filled, all-white walls, already resembles a museum, so it’s the perfect setting to exhibit the 122 works of art that are donated to the event.
Outside on the lawn, an over 8-foot tall urn by Mexican artist Eduardo Sarabia towered—its Chinoiserie-esque blue and white pattern featured unexpected hemp leaves. Was the work a permanent structure of the property or there for a night? “Everything’s for sale!” Howard clarified—“We’re raising money; everything everything is for sale!”
Other renowned artists who have donated works included Grace Carney, Tom Anholt, Anish Kapoor, Tavares Strachan, Calida Rawles, Maja Ruznic, Alicia Adamerovich, Madeline Peckenpaugh, and María Berrío. The latter was the evening’s honoree, who was in attendance and dressed in a gold Simone Rocha look.
At 6:30 PM, the dazzling guest list descended on the party—this is one event where the jewels are real, and the dresses are most definitely not borrowed samples. In attendance was a series of designers and their fashionable patrons. Prabal Gurung, who was fresh in from NYC, dressed Alexandra Looney and Rochelle Gores. Colombian designer Silvia Tcherassi was present—a dress of her design worn by Catalina Gonzalez Jorba. And designer on-the-rise Bach Mai attended with Kaleta Blaffer Johnson, who wore his moiré gown in peony pink. More guests included CEO of Saks Marc Metrick, alongside his wife Deborah Metrick, Cameron Silver, Bertha González Nieves, Ken Fulk, Thomas Keller, Porschla and Jason Kidd, Jessica and Dirk Nowitzki, Melissa Ireland, TWO x TWO executive director, and Scott Rothkopf.
