A fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Diane von Furstenberg is one of the most influential figures in international fashion. Founder of the brand that bears her name and renowned for revolutionizing women’s wardrobes with her iconic wrap dress, von Furstenberg has built a career over the years that combines creativity, independence, and social commitment. It is precisely this commitment that gave rise to the DVF Awards, established in 2010 by Diane von Furstenberg and the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation with the goal of recognizing and supporting extraordinary women committed to transforming the lives of other women: women who have had the courage to fight, the strength to survive, and the leadership to inspire. Each year, five awards are presented to women who have demonstrated leadership, strength, and courage in their commitment to women and their communities. The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation also awards each recipient a grant to support her nonprofit organization, providing concrete resources to continue and expand her work and create a lasting impact.
On September 3, 2026, the DVF Awards will return to Venice for their 17th edition, bringing together global leaders, activists, artists, and extraordinarily talented changemakers for an evening dedicated to celebrating women who have the courage to fight, the strength to survive, and the leadership to inspire. The honorees at this year’s DVF Awards will be Jane Fonda, The Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, S.C., MP., Lynsey Addario, Wawira Njiru, and Gisèle Pelicot, while the presenters will include Tina Brown and Karlie Kloss. The evening will also feature performances by singers Noa and Mira Awad. Over the years, the DVF Awards have given a voice and visibility to women from more than thirty countries, supporting their work through financial contributions aimed at promoting initiatives in various fields: from the fight against climate change and human trafficking to the promotion of gender equality and the prevention of violence against women.
At a time when the world is facing increasingly profound and complex challenges, the DVF Awards have once again chosen to shine a spotlight on women who, with courage and determination, are tackling some of the most pressing issues of our time. The five honorees of the 2026 edition are, in fact, extraordinary examples of women capable of turning their convictions into action and bringing about tangible change. Among them is Jane Fonda, an actress and activist who has been committed to environmental protection and the promotion of social justice for decades; The Honorable Mia Amor Mottley, S.C., MP., Prime Minister of Barbados and a leading figure in international political leadership; Lynsey Addario, an award-winning photojournalist who has been on the front lines for years covering conflicts and humanitarian crises; Wawira Njiru, founder and CEO of Food4Education, committed to ensuring access to food and education for thousands of children; and Gisèle Pelicot, author and activist, who has turned her trauma into courage, becoming a symbol of the struggle for the dignity and rights of victims of violence.
From environmental protection to political leadership, from frontline journalism to advocacy for food and education, to the defense of the dignity and rights of victims of violence, the work of the five honorees bears witness to the extraordinary power and variety of the impact women can have when they turn determination into action. “For the 17th year of the DVF Awards, I am thrilled to honor women who have the courage to fight, the strength to survive, and the leadership to inspire,” says Diane von Furstenberg. A comprehensive celebration that, in these dark times, brings a little light.
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