Diane von Furstenberg on Becoming a Conduit for Confidence

Diane von Furstenberg is a fashion designer, philanthropist, and best-selling author who has dedicated her life to inspiring women.

Diane von Furstenberg is the founder of her eponymous brand and creator of the iconic wrap dress, and has defined freedom for generations of women.

As a philanthropist, she established the DVF Awards with the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation in 2010 to honor and empower women leaders worldwide, recognizing/providing grants to more than 75 women who have had the courage to fight, the strength to survive, and the leadership to inspire.

As an author, she has written several books, including Diane: A Signature Life, The Woman I Wanted to Be, which was translated into 8 languages, and Own It: The Secret to Life. The recipient of countless prestigious awards, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019, and she received the Chevalier de la Légion D’Honneur from France in 2020, the Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Couronne from her native Belgium in 2021.

Diane currently serves on the boards of Vital Voices and the CFDA. In 2023, she was the subject of Woman Before Fashion, a book published by Rizzoli, which followed the exhibition dedicated to her life and career at Brussels' Fashion & Lace Museum. In 2024, she was the subject of the documentary Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge, which premiered as the opening selection at TriBeCa festival before officially launching on Hulu and Disney+ internationally.

At her flagship store in New York City, Diane was interviewed by our founder and CEO, Dee Poku.

"Kindness is a currency, it compounds. Generosity is the best investment. I used to think kindness meant weakness. It doesn’t. In darkness, you must look toward the light. Cherish it. Grow it. Share it."

Let’s start with you, the entrepreneur.

I always knew I wanted to be independent, to be in charge. I didn’t know how, but I knew the feeling of the woman I wanted to be: to have a man’s life in a woman’s body. By 26, I had two children, had separated, and started my business. I became that woman very early – so early I thought I would die by 30! I became that woman because of a little dress. Selling it around the country gave me confidence, and that confidence became something I could share. My dress became a symbol, a conduit for women’s confidence.

You’ve spoken about your mother’s influence on your confidence. Can you share that story?

My mother was a prisoner in a concentration camp for 13 months at age 21. She survived, weighing only 49 pounds when she was freed. The doctor told her not to have children for two years—she had me 13 months later. She used to say, “God saved me so I could give you life. By giving you life, you gave me mine back. You are my torch of freedom.” She made me independent and fearless; fear was not an option. And she taught me never to be a victim. Every time something bad happened, she would say, ‘It may be good.’ Her lessons made me strong.

What advice do you have about reinvention for founders and executives?

Life goes up and down. My advice is: adapt. Every bad thing comes with a lesson. Reinvent. Keep going. Life is an adventure. When bad things happen, they become the best anecdotes for your book – or your TED talk!

You bought your company back recently. How did that experience shape you?

You build and build, then sometimes it gets too big. You hire the wrong people, lose money, take shortcuts. But some things endure, like the wrap dress. I’ve sold the same dress for 52 years, and it still makes women feel good. That’s what matters.

What advice would you give to women who are pivoting or rethinking their careers?

You keep pivoting all your life. Focus on your intention. I learned this in Tai Chi. If you focus on power, you get hurt. If you focus on energy, you procrastinate. If you focus on intention, you get both power and energy. Always ask, “Why am I doing this?” Be honest with yourself.

What is something people don’t know about you that you wish they did?

That I have never lied. Not because someone told me not to – I just think lying brings bad luck. And that means I’m not blackmailable!

You’ve been a champion of women for decades. What do you see as the urgent priority for women today?

Women always have solutions – even in the hardest circumstances. Seduction isn’t about showing your legs – it’s about making your solution happen and letting others think it was their idea. Women can have a man’s life in a woman’s body, I did. But we also need to be kind to men. They’re struggling too. We can feel strong and still be compassionate.

In a world that feels fragmented, what are you focusing on now?

Kindness. Kindness is a currency, it compounds. Generosity is the best investment. I used to think kindness meant weakness. It doesn’t. In darkness, you must look toward the light. Cherish it. Grow it. Share it.

We define kindness at The WIE Suite as connection – sharing what you know, making introductions, supporting others. How do you define it?

I have a manifesto: Connect, Expand, Inspire, Advocate.

Connect: Every day, I make at least one meaningful introduction – a small act that can change someone’s life. It becomes a habit, a muscle.
Expand: Give quality time to people you know but don’t truly see. You’ll learn and grow.
Inspire: Through storytelling, share your vulnerability, not just your success.
Advocate: Find causes you care about and stand behind them. Kindness is a virtue, but it’s also a strategy. It’s powerful.

What’s the best negotiation advice you’ve ever learned?

When you negotiate, bring up the negative first – whatever the other person might be thinking about you or your offer. It neutralizes it immediately. That’s why I always share my age before anyone looks it up!

Do you still experience sexism or ageism?

I refuse to. I don’t even see it. It’s like menopause – I refuse to let it define me.