Diane von Furstenberg is the designer who forever changed how women dress—and the impact all started with a simple wrap. Launched in 1970, her eponymous label took off with the introduction of the now-iconic wrap dress in 1974. Within just a couple of years, over a million dresses had sold, cementing the wrap as not just a piece of clothing, but as a symbol of empowerment for a generation of women. The dress even holds a permanent spot at the Smithsonian, a testament to its cultural significance.
Before becoming the force she is today, von Furstenberg worked in Paris and Italy, where she first started experimenting with design. When she made her way to New York in 1969, she quickly found herself amid the energy of Studio 54 and the fashion elite. It was through her friendship with Vogue’s Diana Vreeland that von Furstenberg got her first real introduction to the fashion world. She showed her first collection at the Gotham Hotel in New York City, instantly capturing the attention of the fashion set. By the late ’70s, she had expanded into cosmetics and fragrances, and her signature style had become synonymous with effortless power dressing.
The ’90s saw von Furstenberg reclaim her brand, reigniting the love for the wrap dress and pushing the DVF name back into the spotlight. Her influence didn’t stop there; as CFDA president from 2006 to 2019, she championed young designers and spearheaded initiatives like the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. She also led efforts for design copyright protections, underscoring her commitment to the industry beyond just her label.
Today, von Furstenberg is as much an advocate as she is a designer. Through the Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, she’s supported numerous causes, and her work with Vital Voices continues to uplift women leaders globally. Her journey—from that first jersey wrap dress to her ongoing philanthropic efforts—is a testament to her enduring legacy in both fashion and culture.
