Diane Von Fürstenberg Runway Shows and Fashion Collections

Spring/Summer 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Titled Beginnings, the Spring 2012 Ready-to-Wear Runway Collection was presented on September 11, 2011 at Lincoln Center. Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” served as the runway soundtrack, as the designer took her closing runway walk. With a message of renewed optimism, she handed out mini American flags to audience members, commemorating the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks. The floral-focused collection featured oversize and smaller versions, alike in shades of green, royal, orange, and white. The divergent references included African farmers and ladylike 60’s fashion.

"It's about light and what light can do and how light changes everything," said Diane von Fürstenberg.

“We started with an inspiration of (the) modern Africa, which they are all so cool and hot even though sometimes it’s sad, but they are always dignified and wonderful. They do wonderful things with recycled fabrics so it’s a little bit utilitarian, but also when they dress up, they go all the way,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg backstage. “My woman, she’s all of that. She’s optimistic and hopeful, utilitarian, practical, and effortless sexy. My mission in life is to empower women, every way I can.”

“I think that comes from them being easy to wear,” said Glamour Magazine’s Anne Christensen. “I know that simplifies it, but it’s like shapes that are easy to wear and colors that are fun to wear… I think what her shows always have is a real sense of optimism and I think that’s what we all need today and I think that came through in the bright patterns and colors and I think that’s something that she does so well.”

“Very easy, beautiful prints… something very easy for a lady to wear next summer,” added Valentino Garavini.

“I actually think it was probably my favorite DVF show ever!” noted Poppy Deleveigne. “I loved all the graphics. And I loved, you know, the beautiful cape-flowing dresses and the sequins. Yeah, I think it was definitely up there.”

“In a way, it’s sort special that she’s showing today, you know 9/11, because she is an example of the vitality of a woman today,” said Oscar de la Renta.

Oscar de la Renta, Valentino Garavani, Giancarlo Giammetti, Poppy Delevingne, Suzy Menkes, Cathy Horyn, Stefano Tonchi, Jefferson Hack, Virginie Mouzat, Fran Lebowitz, Cindi Leive, Roberta Myers, Hal Rubenstein, Anh Duong, Rachel Zoe, Rodger Berman, and Susan Sarandon were amongst the front row guests.

With 50 looks, Aymeline Valade opened the presentation, while Zuzanna Bijoch closed it. Joan Smalls, Karmen Pedaru, Arizona Muse, Kendra Spears, Melodie Monrose, Anais Pouliot, Saskia de Brauw, Zuzanna Bijoch, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Shu Pei Qin, Patricia va der Vliet, Fei Fei Sun, Anna Selezneva, Ginta Lapina, Julia Nobis, Anais Mali, Ataui Deng, Carola Remer, and Anabela Belikova also walked the runway show.

Fall/Winter 2012 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Titled Rendezvous, the Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear Runway Collection was presented on February 11, 2012 at Lincoln Center. According to the program notes, the collection was about being glamorous at a moment’s notice. The Elsa Schiaparelli-inspired collection highlighted easy, draped pieces in a series of surrealist prints juxtaposing bright and bold color combinations. Feminine separates took a more serious direction with body-conscious silhouettes in shades of black, red, teal, and plum.

“Diane von Fürstenberg’s new collection is called Rendezvous, as usual it’s about seduction. The intoxicating color story suggests that anything is possible!” observed Tim Blanks.

“This show is called Rendezvous,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg. “It’s all about seduction. It’s bold; it’s daring, it’s strong; and it has humor… The prints are very whimsical. You have the jigsaw puzzle and you have the little eyes and you have the chain... It’s languid, but it has the cover-up—so it’s the yin and the yang. I always like the yin and the yang: you know, the matte and the shiny; the short and the long… because that’s what makes a woman be fun.”

“All these symbols are meaningful in the collection,” added Yvan Mispelaere backstage. “They just tell the story of what the Rendezvous can happen… Within the collection Rendezvous and with the Rendezvous everything can happen. Just prepare yourself for adventure!”

“It did feel like a more sort of streamlined, sophisticated, almost more urban, but international girl,” said Vanity Fair’s Jessica Diehl. “Very interesting colors, bold colors… you know, you have to have a lot of confidence, but then again, a Diane girl does!”

Jessica Hart, Lily Kwong, Emmanuelle Alt, Solange Knowles, Coco Rocha, Molly Sims, Caroline Sieber, Elettra Wiedemann, Giovanna Battaglia, Zani Gugelmann, Lauren Remington Platt, Franca Sozzani, Jessica Diehl, Cecilia Dean, Amanda Brooks, Virginie Mouzat, Louise Roe, Gia Coppola, Natalie Massenet, Fran Lebowitz, Bryan Grey-Yambao, and Suzy Menkes were amongst the front row guests.

With 46 looks, Zuzanna Bijoch opened and closed the presentation. Kendra Spears, Kasia Struss, Aymeline Valade, Katlin Aas, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Anabela Belikova, Alana Zimmer, Joan Smalls, Ruby Aldridge, Ginta Lapina, Herieth Paul, Liu Wen, Anais Pouliot, Lindsey Wixson, Bette Franke, Meghan Collison, Katryn Kruger, Sheila Marquez, Shu Pei Qin, Andreea Diaconu, and Julia Frauche also walked the runway show.

Spring/Summer 2013 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Titled Palazzo, the Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear Runway Collection was presented on September 8, 2012 at Lincoln Center.

“It really is so much about me when I was a young princess,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg, “a rebel princess. When, yes, you go to the Roman palaces, you go to Jaipur, you go to Marrakech, and you look the sophisticated aristocrat, but you take off the tunic and the layers and you are ready to go dancing all night.”

“DVF really symbolizes style and comfort,” said Google Co-Founder, Sergey Brin backstage. “That’s what we’re aiming for with this device, is to make it really stylish and comfortable and functional.”

Referring to the Google glasses featured on the catwalk, “Seven models will have it on,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg. “You’ll be able to see a movie of the preparing and the fashion show...”

“I think it’s such a brilliant concept because you can see a show from every dimension,” observed Tina Brown.

“We are playing with colors, but also creating patterns,” noted Creative Director, Yvan Mispelaere “There is a balance between some printed garments and some other garments that are inserts and color-blocked in some oriental patterns that are framing the body.”

“We live in such an amazing world. Things that we thought would be science fiction now exist. But fashion, technology, it’s all about life and being the women you want to be.”

The palette included neutrals, navy, terracotta, lilac, lime, and turquoise. Silhouettes included palazzo pants, peplum skirts, draped tops, maxi dresses, jumpsuits, tunics, and caftans. The season’s accessories ranged from color-blocked handbags and chainlink sandals to teardrop earrings and customized Google glasses to capture all the behind-the-scenes action.

Sergey Brin, Sarah Jessica Parker, Valentino Garavani, Franca Sozzani, Oscar de la Renta, Carine Roitfeld, Tatiana von Fürstenberg, AnnaSophia Robb, Colton Haynes, Wendi Murdoch, Gia Coppola, Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor, Lianne La Havas, Nicky Hilton, Julianne Hough, and Anh Duoung were amongst the front row guests.

With 45 looks, Zuzanna Bijoch opened the presentation, while Karmen Pedaru closed it. Katryn Kruger, Othilia Simon, Ginta Lapina, Liu Wen, Bette Franke, Andreea Diaconu, Mirte Maas, Joan Smalls, Alana Zimmer, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Kasia Struss, Josephine Skriver, Anais Mali, Marique Schimmel, and Ataui Deng, also walked the runway show.

Fall/Winter 2013 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Titled Glam Rock, the DVF Fall 2013 Ready-to-Wear Runway Collection was presented on February 9, 2013 at Lincoln Center.

"Every woman wants to be glamorous and rock 'n' roll," said Diane von Fürstenberg backstage. "It's not about going to a party. It's life as a party."

The disco-themed collection of vibrant print halter dresses, colorblocked jumpsuits, jersey and georgette cut dresses referenced a bygone Studio 54, glam-rock era amongst the jet-set as a young princess when the designer first met David Bowie and Mick Jagger. The runway soundtrack included Donna Summer’s “Love to Love You Baby,” Andrea True’s “More, More, More” andChaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman.”

Vanessa Hudgens, Katharine McPhee, Coca Rocha, Elettra Wiedemann, Carine Roitfeld, Suzy Menkes, Charlie Rose, Olivia Palermo, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Anh Duong, Fran Lebowitz, Alyssa Campanella, and Rachel Zoe were amongst the front row guests.

With 37 looks, Cara Delevingne opened the presentation, while Zuzanna Bijoch closed it. Ava Smith, Andreea Diaconu, Marie Piovesan, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Cora Emmanuel, Maud Welzen, Liu Wen, Jourdan Dunn, Fei Fei Sun, Catherine McNeil, Alana Zimmer, Nykhor Paul, Sasha Luss, Kelly Gale, Akuol de Mabior, Lindsey Wixson, Josephine Skriver, and Martha Hunt also walked the runway show.

“This collection was really going back down to the core of DVF,” said Diane von Fürstenberg backstage. “It was a little bit inspired by David Bowie when he was young and a little bit by me when I was young… Whether a very proper wrap dress in suede or a chiffon patch dress or a metallic pant, my goal in life is to be your best friend when you open your closet. This was very much a collection where I wanted to go back to real DVF core—you know, what people expect from me, and they expect from me the rock n’ roll girl I wanted to be.”

“I think it’s a way to be authentic and there’s a lot of authenticity, I think sometimes, lacking and to see someone so firmly grounded in their own thing is just fun to watch,” noted Vanity Fair’s Jessica Diehl.

Spring/Summer 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Titled Oasis, the DVF Spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear Runway Collection was presented on September 7, 2013 at the Lincoln Center Tents.

"What I'm hoping is that people feel joie de vivre, happiness, and beauty in a world that is so rough, so unpredictable, and scary," said von Fürstenberg.

Featured silhouettes included wrap dresses, mini tunics, maxi-skirts, caftans, and sundresses. Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines," Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” and Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” provided the catwalk soundtrack.

With caftans and jumpsuits in safari-inspired prints, the beauty looks were carefree. Make-up artist James Kaliardos sought to create a “fresh off the vacation look.”

"The collection is colorful with bold prints, and Diane didn't want the hair to distract," said hairstylist Orlando Pita, who created the gentle, beachy waves.

With a message of female empowerment, the show’s mantra was “Be your own oasis!”

Allison Williams, Lapo Elkann, Jessica Alba, Derek Blasberg, Coco Rocha, Rachel Zoe, Anh Duong, Harley Viera-Newton, Chelsea Leyland, and Miroslava Duma were amongst the front row guests.

With 38 looks, Karen Elson opened the presentation, while Naomi Campbell closed it. Vanessa Axente, Andreea Diaconu, Kati Nescher, Karmen Pedaru, Karlie Kloss, Liu Wen, Anna Ewers, Catherine McNeil, Maria Broges, Sui He, Holly Rose Emery, Jourdan Dunn, Nykhor Paul, Joan Smalls, Fei Fei Sun also walked the runway show.

Fall/Winter 2014 Ready-to-Wear Collection

“Be Strong! Feel Sexy! Be You! Smile!,” was the message backstage at the DVF Fall 2014 Ready-to-Wear Runway Presentation.

“So this collection is called Bohemian Wrapsody and it’s inspired by the Ballet Russes, which is this artistic movement after the Russian Revolution. And it’s about this ballerina who runs away, but funny enough it’s also the 40th anniversary of the wrap dress and my wrap dress was inspired by the little ballerina sweater,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg. “This collection is all about prints, mixing the prints and my fantasy is this beautiful little ballerina; she’s running away and she’s wearing everything show owns on herself, but she looks delicious and wonderful!”

The silhouettes presented included wrap dresses, tunics, maxi skirts, and cocoon coats fabricated from silk, lace, chiffon in jewel tone and pastel hues.

Hair stylist Orlando Pita created a loose bun to mimic the look of a ballerina who was in rehearsal, rather than performance.

"It should look easy, not too coiffed," said Pita.

Make-up artists James Kaliardos drew from the collection’s Ballet Russes theme, “It’s about the Russian refugees leaving to create the Ballet Russes, which was one of the most famous ballet companies in history,” he said. "We're breaking down the idea of ballet makeup but in a very sheer, wearable way." Kaliardos contoured the cheekbones, temples, and nose and blended a grey shadow with a bordeaux lipstick along the eyelid, with a little mascara on the top lashes to theatrically make the eyes appear bigger.

The February 8th runway presentation held at Spring Studios was prefaced by an exhibition titled “Journey of a Dress,” which follows the evolution of the iconic silhouette over the past four decades, at LACMA. The exhibit which commemorated the signature wrap dress, previously traveled to Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

St. Vincent performed at the runway show. The presentation closed with the release of glittering gold confetti from the rafters. The finale included 15 gilded dresses.

Described as a moveable feast, the festivities continued with an afterparty at DVF’s Meatpacking Studio.

The season’s prints included a love knots, rosebuds, stars, moons, and clouds. Backstage the designer noted, "I used to take the wrap dress for granted, and sometimes I even resented it. Now that I decided to honor it, I'm proud of it, of its timelessness."

“It’s 40 years of the wrap dress this year, but the interesting thing is the fact that it can still look relevant for today. I think also it’s kind of a testament to her influence as kind of inspiration for new generations of designers,” observed Alexander Fury of The Independent, “She said when she relaunched the label in the 90’s that she was dressing women and they were having the same reaction as the women had in the 70’s. And I think now it’s kind of the granddaughters of the people that she originally dressed are wearing the same dresses and looking good in those dresses. And that’s really kind of an amazing fashion legacy to have.”

“The collection was a very sophisticated, very luxe. I think a real celebration of a golden anniversary,” noted Bergdorf Goodman’s Linda Fargo.

Barry Diller, Ali Kay, Alexander von Fürstenberg, Talita von Fürstenberg, Bella Thorne, Zoey Deutch, AnnaSophia Robb, Gia Coppola, Tommy Hilfiger, Harley Viera-Newton, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Garance Dore, Derek Blasberg, Miroslava Duma, Chiara Ferragni, Olivia Palermo, Kelly Bensimon were amongst the front row guests.

With 49 looks, Karen Elson opened the runway presentation, while Joan Smalls closed it. Karlie Kloss, Cindy Bruna, Jourdan Dunn, Fei Fei Sun, Malaika Firth, Bette Franke, Xiao Wen Ju, Anais Mali, Binx Walton, Josephine Le Tutour, Cameron Russell, Katlin Aas, Ming Xi, Maria Borges, Nastya Sten, and Aymeline Valade also walked the show.

Spring/Summer 2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection

The Diane von Fürstenberg Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection was presented on September 7, 2015 at Spring Studios during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. Of the 37 looks, only two featured pants. Inspired by Cote D’Azur in the fifties, the seasons prints referenced Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Featured silhouettes included wrap dresses, bikini wrap tops, pareo wrap skirts, shift dresses in shades of pink, coral, blue, and green.

Zoey Deutch, Allison Williams, Lily Aldridge, Estelle, Jessica Hart, Jade Jagger, Alexander von Fürstenberg, Liz Goldwyn, Nacho Figueras, Derek Blasberg, Rachel Zoe, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton, Olivia Palermo, Linda Fargo, Chiara Ferragni, Brad Goreski, Bryan Grey-Yambao, Coca Rocha, Barry Diller, Kesha, Jessica Joffe, Lily Kwong, June Amrose, and Lisa Love were amongst the front row guests.

Lily Donaldson opened the presentation and Naomi Campbell closed it. Isabeli Fontana, Kendall Jenner, Daria Strokous, Anna Ewers, Malaika Firth, Pauline Hoarau, Fei Fei Sun, Cindy Bruna, Maartje Verhoef, Josephine Le Tutour, Aymeline Valade, Candice Swanepoel, Kati Nescher, Saskia de Brauw, Suvi Koponen, Vanessa Axente, Imaan Hammam, and Lais Ribeiro also walked the runway show.

“It’s Cote d’Azur. It’s the French Riviera in the 50’s when Matisse and Picasso were there and Bridgette Bardot and when Cote d’Azur was very, very glamorous,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg. “If it’s proper, it’s in a very naughty way… I’m always optimistic, but I mean the idea was, you know, about the glamour that even I didn’t see—the glamour of the fifties. When I was 15, I arrived at the airport and I was waiting for my father and Picasso talked to me and I remember the Corniches and the open cars and gingham and all of that… It was what I saw as glamour as a little girl.”

“There was something different feeling about this show and all the sort of familiar touch points that we’re used to with Diane von Fürstenberg were here,” observed Glamour Magazine Editor-in-Chief Cindi Lieve. “But there were mixed in with the sort of looser shapes and the big flowing skirts, there was a certain amount of riguer in the tailoring on some of the tops and it was an interesting juxtaposition.”

“I think Diane is the true, like for me in New York City, she’s young, but she’s elegant, she brings the old-school aristocrat, princess, countess; she’s our royalty in a way!” said Naomi Campbell.

Fall/Winter 2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection

The Diane von Fürstenberg Fall 2015 Ready-to-Wear Collection was presented on February 15, 2015 at Spring Studios during Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. Diane von Fürstenberg’s tagline for the season was "By day she commands her world; by night she inspires fantasy!" For daytime we saw power suiting and pinstripes, while night gave way to slip dresses and evening gowns with lace bodices. Polka dots and her signature lip print added a hint of whimsical charm.

The DVF brand has been heralded as the epitome of female empowerment. She has demonstrated that a woman can be sultry and beautiful, without baring her entire body.

“What I wanted to do with this show is called seduction, is that woman, she owns it; she commands the room,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg. “During the day, she can go to a board meeting and wear a pinstripe dress and then at night she can inspire fantasy. And that’s what every woman wants and should have… If I have any role in the fashion world is that, is to give women that confidence and that push to be the women they want to be!”

“What I thought was remarkable is that it felt actually seductive and not just overtly sexy, which I think is a fine line,” noted Vanity Fair’s Jessica Diehl.

Jessica Hart, Coca Rocha, Barry Diller, Kesha, Jessica Joffe, Lily Kwong, June Ambrose, Estelle, and Chelsea Leyland were amongst the front row guests.

With 37 looks, Kendall Jenner opened the runway presentation, while Jourdan Dunn closed it. Anna Ewers, Chiharu Okunugi, Fei Fei Sun, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Daria Strokous, Grace Mahary, Malaika Firth, Jessica Stam, Valery Kaufman, and Katlin Aas also walked the show.

The Fall 2015 DVF woman is a double agent who seamlessly blends masculinity with femininity. While the opening look was the designer’s signature wrap dress, we also saw pinstripe vests and trouser suits.

Hair stylist Orlando Pita created an updo for a strong, confident woman; the kind where she pulls her hair back, scrapes it back with her fingers, and then puts it in this bun that has pieces falling down.”

Make-up artist Pat McGrath gave the models glowing skin; the emphasis was on a dark, smoky eye.

The Weeknd provided the sultry runway soundtrack. The production team created ambiance with red mood lighting, which has some journalists questioning if this collection should have been shown on Valentine’s Day.

Spring/Summer 2016 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Titled Fortvna, the DVF Spring 2016 Runway Presentation celebrated the 40th anniversary of Ms. Von Fürstenberg’s iconic wrap dress. Unveiling 38 new looks, with a 70’s influence, embroidered chiffon gowns and printed silk dresses took center stage with a vibrant palette included hot pinks, marigolds, and lilacs.

Karlie Kloss opened the show, while Gigi Hadid closed it. Kendall Jenner, Binx Walton, Jing Wen, Alexis Primous, Imaan Hammam, Lindsey Wixson, Anais Mali, Maria Borges, Issa Lish, Lily Aldridge, Bhumika Arora, Kailey Hsu, Bella Hadid, Fei Fei Sun, Yumi Lambert, Molly Bair, Anna Cleveland, and Jourdan Dunn also walked the show.

Victoria Justice, Katherine Schwarzenegger, Hannah Davis, Karolina Kurkova, Kate Upton, Malin Akerman, and Chelsea Leyland were seated on the front row of the runway show.

“This collection is called Fortvna and Fortvna is a Roman Goddess. She is the goddess of luck…” noted Diane von Fürstenberg backstage. “This is the first painting I ever bought myself and she’s in bedroom. She’s barefoot; she’s free; she has butterfly wings and she’s in nature. And so it’s really a celebration of nature, beauty, freedom, and most of all individuality.”

“I loved all of the fun prints and the beautiful pastel colors and I thought that the way that the fabrics fell were just so easy and chic for everyday life,” observed Kate Upton.

“I love walking in Diane’s shows,” added Karlie Kloss. “It’s one of the most empowering moments. She pumps you up before you go—‘Be the woman you want to be! Feel beautiful! You are beautiful’ And she’s an inspiration; so to walk in her show and to feel glamorous and gorgeous is always fun!”

Fall/Winter 2016 Ready-to-Wear Collection

Titled Love Power, the DVF Fall 2016 Collection was presented on February 14th, 2016 at the designer’s West 14th Street Headquarters. It was not quite a runway show, nor a presentation, but more of an interactive office party with the models dancing and singing along to Sister Sledge’s “We are Family” and Donna Summer’s “She Works Hard for the Money.”

The seventies-themed collection was shown against the backdrop of a Stefan Beckman-designed set with workspace vignettes. The collection featured iconic wrap dresses, sportswear layers, and body-con evening wear.

Choreographed by Stephen Galloway and monikered as more of a dance party than a fashion show, the interactive Valentine’s Day installation followed the trend of showcasing pieces that could be purchased immediately post-show.

“This season’s collection is called Love Power, but at the end it’s about the movement of dancing; it’s about great clothes, fun clothes, layering, but it’s more than ever clothes that are the girl’s best friend,” explained Diane von Fürstenberg.

“I think it was beautiful, so much fun!”enthused Sofia Sanchez de Batek. “I love the installation and the girls are so playful that I think it brings a great vibe. You know there are so many fashion shows, and this is a kind of party.”

“When I was invited, they’re like ‘It’s not a show, it’s not a presentation,’—she said ‘It’s an experience!’” shared Coco Rocha. “Everyone is definitely amused and the girls are just smiling and I think that’s what fashion should be.”

Isabella Emmack modeled the opening look, while Karlie Kloss closed the collection. Yumi Lambert, Issa Lish, Taylor Hill, Lineisy Montero, Nastya Sten, Xiao Wen Ju, Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, Elsa Hosk, Irina Shayk, Jourdan Dunn, and Lily Aldridge also modeled looks from the new collection.

Olivia Palermo, Miroslava Duma, Coco Rocha, Giovanna Battaglia, Ashley Madekwe, and Nicky Hilton attended the presentation.