Moving forward with CF’s Know Your Fashion Designers series, this week we’re spotlighting Diane von Furstenberg, the designer who brought us the universally flattering wrap dress.

Not only did Diane change the fashion world by introducing another staple for every girl’s wardrobe, but she remains a very active member of the fashion community. 

A leader of the women-empowering Vital Voices organization and a board member of the Housatonic Valley Association, Diane is also the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). 

In her neighborhood – the Meatpacking District in Manhattan – Diane frequently hosts cultural events in her own studio.

It’s clear that she’s earned her reputation as a designer who gives back.

Want to know more? Read on to learn about the life of Diane von Furstenberg.

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10 Fun Facts about Diane von Furstenberg:

1. Diane Simone Michelle Halfi (whew!) was born in Brussels, Belgium on December 31st, 1946.

2. She met her first husband, Prince Egon of Furstenberg at the University of Geneva in Switzerland where she studied Economics. They were married in 1969.

3. Diane had two children with Prince Egon, Alexander and Tatiana. Both were born in New York City and Diane named a fragrance after Tatiana in 1975.

4. After her divorce from Prince Egon in 1972, Diane was not allowed to use her previous title of “Princess Diane of Furstenberg”. Nevertheless, she has been happily married to media mogul Barry Dillor since 2001. She and Prince Egon remained amiable toward each other until his death in 2004.

5. Diane first made her mark on the fashion world in 1972 when she introduced the iconic wrap dress; 5 million were sold in 1976 alone. Its timeless nature was further proven when she came back in 1997 after a fashion hiatus and re-launched the wrap dress to the next generation of buyers.