DIFFA’s Threads for Impact Sale & Auction on Sept 9

Design, Purpose, and Craft Collide at Threads for Impact, a One-Night-Only Sale and Auction Supporting DIFFA

An evening of sustainability, style, and social change—September 9 at the Steelcase Showroom in NYC

On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 6–9 PM,  design lovers and changemakers are invited to gather at Steelcase’s Columbus Circle showroom for Threads for Impact, a one-night-only event spotlighting sustainability and creative reuse in the design industry. Hosted in collaboration with Sewciety—an artisan collective founded by Abigail French, Regional Vice President at Steelcase and Katie Buhl, Associate Principal at Unispace—the event brings together top interior designers, manufacturers, and creatives to transform discarded textiles into one-of-a-kind quilts, totes, pillows, and jackets.

“Threads for Impact is about more than beautiful design—it’s about honoring the materials we use, the hands that shape them, and the communities we uplift through our collective creativity,” says French. “Katie and I are proud to bring together makers from across the industry to reimagine waste as a force for good and to support the incredible work DIFFA is doing to drive lasting change. We’d also like to extend a special thanks to Steelcase for the generous use of their New York showroom, and for their continued commitment to design with purpose.” Buhl continues “At a time when sustainability is no longer optional, Threads for Impact brings our industry together to create something beautiful out of what might have been wasted. It’s a celebration of community, craft, and giving back.”

Each piece tells a story—not only of beauty and craftsmanship but of purpose. Rescued from landfills, fabric samples have been lovingly upcycled into collectible works of functional art. Guests can look forward to a silent auction featuring showstopping quilts, each inspired by DIFFA’s 40th anniversary and meticulously crafted by Sewciety. In addition to the auction, there will be cash-and-carry shopping of limited-edition goods—including totes, pillows, jackets, and more—all handmade and entirely one-of-a-kind. VIP ticket holders will enjoy early access to the event, complete with a champagne toast and exclusive meet-and-greet with the designers behind the pieces. Early Bird tickets can be purchased now through August 8th for $100; After August 9th, tickets will be sold for $125; VIP Tickets are available for $150—as noted above, they include an early admission of 5PM, a meet-and-greet with the designers, a Champagne toast, and a sneak peek at the merchandise. Tickets can be purchased here. The Steelcase showroom is located at 4 Columbus Circle. Wines will be provided by Threadcount.

All proceeds benefit DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation), supporting its ongoing mission to fund grants for underserved communities.

ABOUT DIFFA
DIFFA grants funds to organizations that provide aid and access to healthcare for a diverse group of people affected by HIV/AIDS, food & housing insecurities, and mental health issues. Harnessing the design industry’s resources and creativity to respond to critical health issues and build a healthier, robust, and inclusive community. In other words, making a DIFFA-rence! Mobilizing the immense resources and creativity of the design community, DIFFA has granted more than $57 million to hundreds of charities nationwide. www.diffa.org

DIFFA received a 4 star (98%) ranking from Charity Navigator, telling donors they can trust the foundation to make the best use of their contributions.

ABOUT SEWCIETY
Sewciety is a collaborative design collective launched by Abigail French (Steelcase) and Katie Buhl (Unispace). What began as a creative outlet has grown into a powerful platform for sustainability and social good—uniting designers, industry professionals, and makers to give new life to discarded textiles. www.nycsewciety.com