Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is marking 50 years in the industry by launching a curated vintage section at her brand’s Manhattan headquarters. The designer, who will turn 80 years old on New Year’s Eve, recently hosted the 17th annual DVF Awards in Venice to recognize women such as Jane Fonda and Lynsey Addario for their contributions to society.
The designer rose to prominence in the 1970s following the 1974 debut of her wrap dress, a jersey garment inspired by ballerina tops. Von Furstenberg stated the idea occurred to her while watching televised news coverage of Julie Eisenhower, daughter of Richard Nixon, wearing a DVF wrap top and skirt during the Watergate era. By 1976, von Furstenberg had sold one million wrap dresses and appeared on the cover of Newsweek.
Born Diane Simone Michele Halfin in Brussels in 1946, she is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. She later married Prince Ëgon von Furstenberg, with whom she had two children before their marriage ended. In 2001, she married media mogul Barry Diller. While a new generation now manages the creative vision of the DVF brand, von Furstenberg remains involved with the company through its archives and philanthropic efforts.
The brand's survival through reported financial fluctuations directly affects the employees and creative staff managed by the new leadership. While specific employment numbers were not reported, the brand maintains a multi-decade presence in the fashion market. The designer’s focus on the DVF Awards also impacts activists and professionals who receive financial or promotional support through the annual ceremony.
In the legal and legacy sphere, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has archived von Furstenberg's designs, establishing a precedent for the historical value of 20th-century American ready-to-wear fashion. The current "DVF Vintage" launch at the brand's headquarters is scheduled to run through the end of November 2026. No specific dates for the release of the updated wrap dress iteration have been reported.