“Be the woman you want to be” -Diane von Furstenberg
Diane von Furstenberg is a fashion designer, philanthropist, and author who has dedicated her life to inspiring women. As founder of hereponymous brand and creator of the iconic wrap dress, Diane defined freedom for generations of women.
IN BUSINESS
Diane von Furstenberg began her career in Italy at a textile factory before moving to New York. In 1974, she created the wrap dress, launching a new liberating style movement for women worldwide. By 1976, she had sold over a million dresses, appearing on the covers of both The Wall Street Journal and Newsweek.
Following the success of the wrap dress, Diane grew the company into a strong global presence and began licensing her name across new categories.
PHILANTHROPY
Diane von Furstenberg and The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation founded The DVF Awards in 2010 to recognize, support and amplify the voices of extraordinary women who are dedicated to improving the lives of other women. These are women who have demonstrated the courage to fight, the strength to survive and the leadership to inspire.
Honorees are celebrated annually at the DVF Awards ceremony, with five awards bestowed to women who are working to find solutions to the world’s most pressing problems. The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation provides grants to each honoree for their non-profit organization to further their important work.
IN NEW YORK
Diane von Furstenberg's impact on New York extends beyond fashion. The Diller-von Furstenberg Foundation was instrumental in restoring New York City’s High Line and creating Little Island. Diane also spearheaded the fundraising and creation of the new Statue of Liberty Museum on New York’s Liberty Island.
Today, the DVF brand remains headquartered in New York’s Meatpacking District, steps from the High Line.
A LIFE IN MOTION
Along with her work in fashion and philanthropy, Diane von Furstenberg has authored several books including Diane: A Signature Life, The Woman I Wanted to Be and Own It: The Secret to Life. She currently serves on the boards of Vital Voices and the CFDA.
In 2023, she was the subject of Woman Before Fashion, an exhibition dedicated to her life and career at Brussels's Fashion & Lace Museum. In 2024, the documentary Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge premiered as the opening selection at The Tribeca Film Festival before officially launching on Hulu and Disney+ internationally.