“All my life, I wanted to be the woman in charge, and then I became a woman in charge of a little dress,” Diane von Furstenberg reflected as she accepted the 2026 Couture Council Award from The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Of course, that little dress changed not just her life but American fashion forever.

The was just one of the dozen or so quoteworthy nuggets the designer and former CFDA Chairman offered as she was being was honored at the Couture Council’s annual luncheon at Gotham Hall last Thursday.

Vanessa Friedman, fashion director and chief fashion critic of The New York Times , presented the award, describing von Furstenberg as a singular presence whose impact extends far beyond fashion.

“We call her a designer, entrepreneur, feminist, activist, philanthropist, mother, grandmother, daughter, friend, and mentor,” Friedman said. “But the term I actually prefer is ‘force of nature,’ which I know is three words. But that’s the point. It is impossible to reduce her to just one.”

Indeed, the sentiment was shared by guests, who paid tribute not only to von Furstenberg’s creative legacy but also to her lifelong commitment to empowering women. Some sported a DVF wrap dress. FIT Menswear students created custom table runners using an archival Diane von Furstenberg Ikat print from 1983.

Among those celebrating were Martha Stewart, Bethann Hardison, Narciso Rodriguez, Nicole Miller, Jonathan Cohen, Danielle Frankel Hirsch, Daniella Kallmeyer, Linda Fargo, Ruben Toledo, Emily Dawn Long, Zane Li, and CFDA Interim CEO Hildy Kuryk.

“One thing Diane has always said is that designers are like architects,” Henry Zankov, artistic director of Diane von Furstenberg and an FIT alumnus, said. “We have to understand not only how something is made, but how it is experienced, how it moves, and how it makes people feel.”

The afternoon also recognized the next generation of fashion with FIT student Chloe LaBel ‘2027 receiving The Museum at FIT Student Award for her commitment to museum practice and public service.

Co-chaired by Couture Council board members Anne Baker and Alida Boer, the luncheon raised funds for The Museum at FIT, supporting its exhibitions, educational programming, and symposia, all free and open to the public.

For von Furstenberg, the honor was another reminder of fashion’s ability to inspire confidence across generations, and that fashion is not simply about what women wear, but how they feel about themselves.

As she put it, “I have confidence that many, many generations of women wore the wrap dress while also becoming women in charge.”

Hero Image: Vanessa Friedman, Diane von Furstenberg

Erin Walsh, Jasmin Larian Hekmat, Ashley Allen

Daniella Kallmeyer, Ariel Bielsky, Emily Dawn Long