Diane von Furstenberg Shines at PAC NYC Gala
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iane von Furstenberg and Karlie Kloss arrive at the PAC NYC Icons of Culture Gala 2025. On the black-tie evening of October 28, New York’s cultural elite gathered to honor DVF as the gala’s Icon of Culture. The award underscored von Furstenberg’s decades-long influence: PAC publicity celebrated her “incomparable influence on fashion and design” and role as “a mentor and tireless advocate for girls and women”. Michael R. Bloomberg, chair of PAC NYC, praised DVF as “a towering figure in the arts and culture here in New York,” noting her steadfast support of the city – from the fashion industry to public projects like the High Line and the Statue of Liberty Museum. In her own acceptance remarks, von Furstenberg recalled witnessing 9/11 from her downtown studio and marveled that “Downtown showed its resilience and, like a phoenix, was reborn”. This theme of renewal – of fashion and city alike – set the tone for an evening of homage and celebration.
Empowerment, Style, and Renewal
Diane von Furstenberg’s legacy spans far beyond the runway. She stormed the industry in the 1970s with the wrap dress – a chic workhorse that revolutionized women’s fashion – and has long used her platform to uplift others. Even the gala decor and dress code nodded to von Furstenberg’s style heritage: tables were set with her signature lipstick-print napkins and chain-link motifs, and many guests arrived in polka dots, stripes and leopard prints – all nods to her iconic patterns. In every tribute that night, von Furstenberg’s blend of glamour and goodwill was unmistakable.
A Night of Stars and Spectacles
Comedian Seth Meyers co-hosted the gala, opening the program with a tongue-in-cheek ode to von Furstenberg’s storied career. He quipped that her life “already sounds like a myth,” adding that her journey was “an impossible parade of fabulous miracles”. The audience included DVF’s family and longtime collaborators: partner Barry Diller attended with daughter Tatiana and granddaughter Talita, and celebrity friends from fashion and entertainment – including model Karlie Kloss, actress Tiffany Haddish, talk-show host Andy Cohen and actor Michael Douglas – joined the celebration. The evening’s energy combined red-carpet glamour with heartfelt homage.
Musical performances punctuated the tributes to DVF’s life. Grammy-winning bassist-singer Esperanza Spalding opened the gala with a lush rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “Love”, and six-time Grammy winner Norah Jones closed the night with a three-song set of her hits.
In between, Broadway star Tituss Burgess took the stage to perform “NYC” from Annie, staging von Furstenberg’s own New York arrival and the birth of her wrap dress in song.
Between numbers, Andy Cohen took a playful turn at the podium, noting of DVF’s signature design: “She didn’t just create a dress but the world around it” – a line that underscored how von Furstenberg’s fashion became a cultural movement.
The Wrap Dress Finale
The night’s climax was a vibrant dance tribute to DVF’s famed wrap dress. Choreographer Lorin Latarro led a troupe of 25 dancers clad in bold DVF wrap dresses through a synchronized routine to Blondie’s “Rapture”. The performers wound their way up the aisles and onto the stage, transforming the theater into a living runway of von Furstenberg’s own designs. The joyous tableau – women literally draped in DVF creations – brought the evening full circle, symbolizing how her fashion transcends mere clothing to inspire community and celebration.
Cultural Resonance and Legacy
When the festivities ended, the sentiment was clear: Diane von Furstenberg’s influence endures in New York’s cultural fabric. From Warhol-print caftans to final bow-filled dance numbers, the gala wove together threads of creativity and community – reflecting von Furstenberg’s own ethos. In the words of the many speakers and performances, DVF embodies a spirit of resilience and empowerment. It was a fitting tribute to an icon whose legacy, both sartorial and societal, continues to shape the city she helped rebuild.
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