Divine Design 2011

LOS ANGELES, CA - When you're making a list and checking it twice this holiday season, make your shopping experience extra special by doing your gift search at Divine Design. Instead of crowded malls, long lines and picked-over sales racks, this exclusive event offers designer gifts at a fraction of the price and each purchase goes directly to funding Project Angel Food, a meal delivery service for those with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The annual event, now in its 20th year, features mini- boutiques of luxury fashion (Marc Jacobs, Elizabeth & James, Kenenth Cole, Tom Ford, SmashBox, Calvin Klein, Fendi, Seven for All Mankind and many more) at sample sale prices with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting Project Angel Food. This year the event spans from Wednesday, Dececember 7 to Monday, December12 and takes place in the former Robinson's May building in Beverly Hills.

When Divine Design began in 1991 it grew out of the interior design community, who was seeing its numbers dwindle due to the AIDS crisis. The community drew from its talents and created Divine Design, an expertly styled and designed pop-up department store that has all its products donated.
"Divine Design is an event imagined by the creative community. The beauty of fashion and design is combined with the beauty of caring for someone in need," CEO Margaret Steele says.

Both Project Angel Food and Divine Design rely on the work of many volunteers to operate. For 22 years, Project Angel Food has delivered more than 6 million meals to those debilitated by AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses throughout Los Angeles County. The organization, staffed mainly by 1,500 volunteers a year has expanded its scope in recent years to include those battling cancer and other diseases, in addition to their original commitment to assisting those with HIV/AIDS.

"It's proven that providing healthy, nutritious food to those in need allows them to attend more medical appointments, life spirit, keep down medicine and successfully complete chemotherapy treatments. If we're able to assist in that, then more people are able to heal," Steele says.

Project Angel Food serves approximately 13,000 meals a week, all prepared out of the organizations kitchen on Vine St. in Los Angeles. All recipes are overseen by a registered dietician and professional chefs on staff and include fresh ingredients such as tofu, broccoli, zucchini and other fresh produce and protein. Those who receive meals from Project Angel Food do so at no charge, all that is necessary is a form from a doctor that confirms their illness.

On Wednesday, Divine Design kicks off with the Gala, featuring performances by Kristin Chenowith and more. The Gala honors a man and woman of style each year. Previous years honorees have included Christina Hendricks (Mad Men's Joan Holloway) and Steven Kolb, executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

The Gala is followed by a VIP shopping party, from 8 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, complete with hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and music for $100 admission. General shopping days are Friday through Monday. Admission is $25, but you can download a coupon for $10 off at the Divine Design website. Each day includes 10 percent reduction in prices, so by Monday all items are over 50 percent off retail price.

Events are at 9900 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. General admission days: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Monday.

Visit divinedesign.org for more information.