The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (MFIT) celebrated one of fashion’s most influential figures as Diane von Furstenberg received the 2026 Couture Council Award during the museum’s annual luncheon at Gotham Hall in New York City.
Presented by Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic at The New York Times, the prestigious honor recognized von Furstenberg’s remarkable contributions to fashion, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy, as well as her decades-long commitment to empowering women through personal style.
The afternoon brought together an impressive guest list of fashion luminaries, designers, and cultural tastemakers, including Martha Stewart, Candice Bushnell, Ramona Singer, Meredith Marks, Narciso Rodriguez, Linda Fargo, Samira Nasr, Bethann Hardison, Nicole Miller, Fern Mallis, and Sarah Wetenhall, president and owner of The Colony Hotel.
Co-chaired by Couture Council board members Anne Baker, jewelry designer of Anne Baker Collection, and Alida Boer, CEO and founder of Nolé Care and Marias, the luncheon raised funds to support The Museum at FIT’s exhibitions, educational programming, and symposia, all of which remain free and open to the public.
Guests embraced the spirit of the honoree, arriving in von Furstenberg’s signature vibrant prints and iconic wrap dresses. The celebration extended to the décor, where custom table runners crafted by FIT Menswear students featured an archival Diane von Furstenberg Ikat print dating back to 1983. Images chronicling the designer’s illustrious career adorned the walls, offering a visual tribute to her lasting influence.
The program featured remarks from FIT president Jason Schupbach, MFIT director and chief curator Dr. Valerie Steele, and Henry Zankov, artistic director of Diane von Furstenberg and an FIT alumnus.
In presenting the award, Friedman described von Furstenberg as a singular presence in the industry.
“There are a lot of words I could use to describe today’s honoree,” Friedman shared. “We call her a designer, entrepreneur, feminist, activist, philanthropist, mother, grandmother, daughter, friend, and mentor. But the term I actually prefer is ‘force of nature.'”
For von Furstenberg, whose revolutionary wrap dress became a symbol of independence and confidence for generations of women, the recognition was an opportunity to reflect on the garment’s enduring cultural significance.
“All my life, I wanted to be the woman in charge, and then I became a woman in charge of a little dress,” she remarked. “I have confidence that many, many generations of women wore the wrap dress while also becoming women in charge.”
The afternoon also celebrated the next generation of fashion and museum professionals, with Chloe LaBel, a student in FIT’s Art History and Museum Professions class of 2027, receiving The Museum at FIT Student Award. The annual distinction recognizes a student demonstrating exceptional dedication to museum practice, public service, and professional excellence.
Beyond honoring a fashion icon, the luncheon underscored the importance of nurturing emerging creative talent and preserving fashion’s cultural legacy. For an institution dedicated exclusively to the art of fashion, the celebration served as a fitting tribute to a designer whose influence extends far beyond the runway.
With a career defined by reinvention, individuality, and female empowerment, Diane von Furstenberg continues to prove that great fashion is about more than what women wear—it’s about how they feel wearing it.
