Wrap 101
Almost 50 years ago, Diane von Furstenberg found herself in a textile mill in Italy. The owner had lent her the space to produce her own creations and in the process of playing with prints, creating her own version of silk jersey in collaboration with the owner, and testing different silhouettes, the wrap was born. She decided she had something special and packed her petite valise with her creations and came to the United States (pregnant and by ship) in order to grow the brand we have today.
The wrap instantly resonated with women who were stylish, feminine, but, most importantly, on-the-go. It allowed women the freedom to dress (and undress) with ease while looking sophisticated and put-together. It provided professional empowerment and personal freedom, all at an accessible price point. As Diane says, “It’s more than just a dress, it’s a spirit.”
Today, the wrap is available in seasonal prints as well as our signature prints like the Twigs, Chainlink, and Animal prints and, as always, we mix and match them with mini, midi, and maxi silhouettes. We are constantly reimagining the wrap while maintaining the spirit of Diane at 28 years old.
Wrap Lengths
(Mini, Midi, Maxi)
Iconic Prints
Cube
Spring Leopard
Twigs
Python
Chainlink
Wild Flower
Ibiza Quilt
Henlow
Stars
Signature
Ads & Notable Moments
At nearly 50 years of age, the wrap has seen history unfold like no other garment—from Ingrid Bentancourt’s public celebration of freedom, to the Obamas’ first Christmas card marking a turning point in the White House—the wrap’s been witness to it all. In our vintage advertisements, the adventurous spirit of women in the 70s shines brightly in this silhouette.
How To Tie A Wrap Dress
Thread the first loose end through the slit
on the opposite side of the dress.
Tighten it behind the waist, adjust the neckline,
and bring the straps back to the front.
Once it is at the front of the body, make any necessary
adjustments—unfolding straps, tailor the tightness, etc.
Tie a knot with the straps on the side of the body.
Hide the knot by bringing the longer strap over.
Voila!
It's a Wrap: Wrap Cameos
The wrap has become a classic both in home and on screens from 1976 to present day. Our clips include scenes from Friends, Sex and The City, Gilmore Girls, Pedro Almodovar's "The Skin I Live In", Martin Scorsese's "Taxi Driver", David O Russell's "American Hustle", and so many more. We love to see how artists interpret Diane’s little dress, but more than that, we love to see strong female characters bring it to life.
Journey of a Dress
In early 2014, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) hosted an exhibition of the wrap's journey in honor of its 40th birthday. For this, we brought out every silhouette from our archives (over 150 of them) and hosted influential people across the cultural map to celebrate Diane's dress. The gallery itself exploded with color and life—much like our eponym. It was a festive and labor-of-love capsule dedicated to the many lives lived in and touched by our simple yet bold garment.
How to Style
While the wrap is typically worn as a dress knotted in the front, you can also tie it in the back, or simply leave it untied and use it as a stylish robe. All options (and any other options you may create) work. Regardless of how it is styled, the woman feels comfortable in her skin and confident in herself.
Classic
Casual
Chic
Wrap Stories
From working moms always being able to count on their wrap for some feminine confidence, to 20-somethings in big cities channeling the women they aspire to be via wearing our timeless silhouette, to a first date that turned into a lasting marriage, it's so special to read stories of how the wrap has brightened your life. Here are some of our favorite wrap moments.
We'd love to hear your wrap story. To submit one, fill out the text box below.