She's an Icon, She's a Legend, She Is the Moment: DVF Was Honored at PAC NYC's Icons of Culture Gala

Diane von Furstenberg and Karlie KlossKevin Mazur/Getty Images

On Tuesday evening, guests gathered as the Perelman Performing Arts Center honored the woman in charge: Diane von Furstenberg. The fashion designer, trailblazer, and philanthropist—who irrevocably changed the game with her groundbreaking wrap dress in the 70s—received the 2025 Icon of Culture award for her role in transforming Manhattan over the last quarter century.

Many of those close to the designer, including her partner Barry Diller, daughter Tatiana, and granddaughter Talita, as well as Karlie Kloss, Tiffany Haddish, Michael Douglas, Andy Cohen, Jennifer Nettles, and Mark Ronson headed to PAC NYC for the second annual black tie event.

Neighboring the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and adjacent to One World Trade, the two-year-old venue set a stage for von Furstenberg s extraordinary life story to unfold. The celebration saw performances from Esperanza Spalding and Nora Jones, with Seth Meyers on duty as master of ceremonies. “Diane has had an impact on culture, and she really does embody the spirit of creativity and community that is celebrated at PAC NYC—so what better place to celebrate her achievements than here,” Michael Bloomberg, chair of PAC NYC, praised.

It was impossible to miss the eclectic decorative details around the theater, like cherry red lipstick-printed napkins and black and white chain link handkerchiefs—both DVF signatures. Indeed, many attendees also paid tribute via their choice of patterns, donning polka dots, stripes, and leopard dresses and sets.

For the occasion, von Furstenberg donned a flowing kaftan baring Andy Warhol s portrait of her—does it get more iconic than that? Adorned in bold statement bracelets and a jeweled necklace that read In Charge, she lit up the room. Upon arrival to the red carpet, she warmly greeted Haddish as the duo posed for photographs while exchanging pleasantries.

Among the reasons the Belgian fashion plate was honored at Tuesday s event was for her support of lower Manhattan and its evolution in the 1990s , as well as its revitalization post-9/11. A firm believer in creativity, community, and culture, von Furstenberg continues to champion the next generation of artists and ensure a prospering environment for up and coming creatives. “Legacy is the people you touch, your family, and your body of work,” she told Vogue.

The evening concluded with a synchronized dance number choreographed by Lorin Latarro atop the theater stage and through the aisles, with a troupe of 25 performers wrapped in dresses by the icon herself.