Diane von Furstenberg and the Legacy of the DVF Brand

[Diane von Furstenberg](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/diane-von-furstenberg-teaches-building-a-fashion-brand) is a Belgian-American fashion designer known for making luxury fashion wearable and accessible. Born Diane Halfin in Brussels, Belgium in 1946, she studied economics at the University of Geneva before coming to New York City in 1970, where she launched her eponymous label—Diane von Furstenburg (often shortened to DvF). In 1976, Diane landed the cover of *Newsweek* with a feature in which she was dubbed “the most marketable female in fashion since Coco Chanel.” Known for the iconic midi-length wrap dress, Diane built the DVF brand into a creative and daring leader in the fashion industry, offering a variety of ready-to-wear collections and accessories. The wrap dress is now included in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. In 2005, Diane received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for her impact on fashion. Now, as the council’s chairman, she dedicates herself to fostering emerging talent and has grown the organization to over 500 members. In 2014, the iconic wrap dress was celebrated with the “Journey of a Dress” exhibition in Los Angeles. The same year, Diane published her memoir, *The Woman I Wanted to Be*, which was translated in five languages. Diane von Furstenberg built the House of DvF on her most famous design—the wrap dress, which was produced in 1974, and changed the fashion industry forever. Diane’s company produces full lines of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories beyond the wrap dress, but the wrap dress is still a core part of the company’s DNA, and of course, part of Diane’s own story. Here are a few reasons that the wrap dress was revolutionary. - __Innovation__: Though Diane didn’t reveal her wrap dress until 1974, she began concepting it in 1972 with the simple idea to fuse a wrap top and wrap skirt into one piece. - __Material__: The wrap dress stood out because of Diane’s use of printed jersey fabric. [Jersey fabric](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-jersey-fabric) is casual, comfortable, and doesn’t wrinkle but is fashionable and elevated enough for work. - __Staying power__: The wrap dress may be one of the most recognizable 1970s silhouettes, but its popularity has transcended time. In the 1990s Diane saw young girls, her daughter’s generation, buying old wrap dresses from vintage shops and wearing them with combat boots. That versatility still captivated women two decades later. Diane von Furstenberg founded the Diane von Furstenburg brand in 1972 in New York. The DvF label offers a full collection of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories—including shoes, handbags, and jewelry. After nearly 50 years in business, Diane has established herself as a leader of feminine silhouettes in the fashion industry. Her designs regularly appear on the pages of *Vogue*. Anchored by the DvF flagship store and headquarters in the Meatpacking District in New York City, the label developed a global distribution network in over 100 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. In 2010, Diane established the DVF Awards with the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation—which she runs with her husband, media mogul Barry Diller—to honor and provide grants to women who have displayed leadership, strength and courage in their commitment to their causes. The DvF has honored a host of notable women, including Gloria Steinem and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Become a better fashion designer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Tan France, Laura Kim & Fernando Garcia, Anna Wintour, and more. It all started with her iconic wrap dress that defined 1970s fashion, but Diane von Furstenberg has been making luxury womenswear for over 50 years, anchored in the simple idea that fashion should be wearable, versatile, and elegant.