Thu Sep 26 15:01:00 UTC 2024: ## Fashion Icon Diane von Furstenberg Turns Venetian Palazzo into Hub for Women’s Empowerment
**VENICE, ITALY** – Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, known for her iconic wrap dress and tireless activism, has transformed her Venetian palazzo into a haven for connection and empowerment. The opulent apartment, located in the 15th-century Palazzo Giustinian Brandolini on the Grand Canal, serves as the backdrop for her annual DVF Awards, recognizing extraordinary women who inspire and empower others.
This year, the awards ceremony, which coincided with the Venice Film Festival, saw the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Graça Machel, and Dame Jacinda Ardern gather for a luncheon hosted by von Furstenberg. The event highlighted the designer’s commitment to fostering dialogue and action around women’s rights, a cause she has championed for decades.
“Diane is always ‘on’,” says Winfrey, a recipient of the DVF Award in 2012. “She’s always thinking about what we can do to help the world, bring about change.”
Von Furstenberg, who has been coming to Venice since she was 20, describes the city as “an eternal, legendary, and very resilient woman, always looking ahead.” She sees her home as a space where she can “bring people together and create connections, opening up a constructive dialogue.”
The palazzo itself, with its ornate ceilings, gilded mirrors, and classic artwork, reflects von Furstenberg’s signature style: grandiose yet cozy, personal yet bold. She has blended her own eclectic collection of art and furnishings with the historic character of the building, creating a space that feels both intimate and grand.
“This is a personal home,” she says. “I brought things from Paris and New York. It’s grandiose and very beautiful, and I wanted to make it cozy, bohemian, reflecting my personality.”
While the awards ceremony and the luncheon bring a buzz of activity to the palazzo, von Furstenberg emphasizes that it’s more than just a venue for events. It is a place where she can nurture her passion for empowering women and connect with those who share her vision.
“There is magic in connection and kindness is a currency,” she concludes. “Connecting people creates energy that goes around and around.”
First Piper 