Immigrant Impact Spotlight: Celebrating the People Powering America’s Progress

Business & Fashion: “Style with Purpose”

*photo by Masterclass

Few fashion items are as iconic as the wrap dress.  Its creator, Diane von Fürstenberg, turned a simple silhouette into a global symbol of empowerment and confidence.  Her journey from Belgium to the United States is not only a story of fashion, but also of entrepreneurship, reinvention, and leadership.

Born in Brussels in 1946, Diane Simone Michelle Halfin was the daughter of a Holocaust survivor.  At the age of 22, she married German Prince Egon von Fürstenberg, from whom she would later separate but keep her now-famous name.  In the early 1970s, Diane immigrated to the United States, arriving in New York City with a suitcase full of jersey dresses she had designed.
​
By 1974, she had introduced the wrap dress—a comfortable, flattering garment that became an instant sensation.  By the end of the decade, millions had been sold, cementing Diane’s place as one of the most influential designers in fashion history.

“The most important relationship you have in life is the one you have with yourself.”

But her impact extends far beyond the runway.  Diane built an enduring business empire, weathering cycles of boom and decline, always reinventing her brand and herself.  She served as President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) from 2006 to 2019, where she mentored emerging designers and championed diversity and sustainability in fashion.

As an immigrant entrepreneur, she used her platform to support women leaders, launching the DVF Awards in 2010 to honor women who demonstrate leadership, strength, and courage.  Her philanthropy also supports human rights, education, and environmental initiatives around the globe.

Today, Diane von Fürstenberg remains a leading voice in both business and culture—an immigrant woman who transformed her vision into a brand recognized worldwide.  Her story reminds us that fashion is more than clothing;  it can be a vehicle for empowerment, identity, and change.

Did You Know?

• Immigrants have founded 44% of Fortune 500 companies, from tech giants to retail icons.
• The U.S. fashion industry employs over 1.8 million people, with immigrants playing key roles as designers, seamstresses, and entrepreneurs.
• Globally, women-led businesses are the fastest-growing segment of entrepreneurship, yet immigrant women remain underrepresented—leaders like DVF are changing that narrative.