Search
AI-powered search, human-powered content.
scroll to top arrow or icon

DVF in Davos: A fashion icon is still fighting for gender equality

“I wanted to be a woman in charge,” Diane von Furstenberg said. “And I became a conduit for a certain freedom.”

The iconic fashion designer, who changed women’s apparel 50 years ago with the “wrap dress,” has long been a champion of gender equality. This week in Davos, her work earned her a Crystal Award, presented annually by the World Economic Forum to creators and innovators making a positive impact on society.

DVF, in the rare stratosphere of stars known by just their initials, sat down with GZERO’s Tony Maciulis to talk about bridging the gender gap, the “masculine wave” currently in politics and business, what it means for diversity initiatives, and how she views her legacy decades into her historic career.

She reflected on the power of a “little dress” that built her career, her own inspirations including German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich, and why she has hope for the creative women of Gen Z.

Follow GZERO coverage of Davos here: https://www.gzeromedia.com/global-stage

More from Global Stage

Can we use AI to secure the world's digital future?

How do we ensure AI is safe, available to everyone, and enhancing productivity? It’s a big topic at this year’s UN General Assembly. That’s why GZERO’s Global Stage livestream brought together leading experts at the heart of the action for “Live from the United Nations: Securing our Digital Future,” an event produced in partnership between the Complex Risk Analytics Fund, or CRAF’d, and GZERO Media’s Global Stage series, sponsored by Microsoft.

Is the Europe-US rift leaving us all vulnerable?

As the tense and politically charged 2025 Munich Security Conference draws to a close, GZERO’s Global Stage series presents a conversation about strained relationships between the US and Europe, Ukraine's path ahead, and rising threats in cyberspace.

The three skills everyone needs to thrive in the AI era

As artificial intelligence transforms work, how do organizations equip people with the skills to thrive? Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President of Microsoft, says the answer lies in understanding a new landscape of AI skills.

Inclusion by design: Rebeca Grynspan on AI, inequality & global reform

At the 2025 Abu Dhabi Global AI Summit, UNCTAD Secretary-General Rebeca Grynspan warns that without deliberate action, the world’s poorest countries risk exclusion from the AI revolution. “There is no way that trickle down will make the trick,” she tells GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis. “We have to think about inclusion by design."

Global Stage: Bringing AI tech, trust, and talent to the world

In this Global Stage panel recorded live in Abu Dhabi, Becky Anderson (CNN) leads a candid discussion on how to close that gap with Brad Smith (Vice Chair & President, Microsoft), Peng Xiao (CEO, G42), Ian Bremmer (President & Founder, Eurasia Group and GZERO Media), and Baroness Joanna Shields (Executive Chair, Responsible AI Future Foundation).

How AI is transforming cybersecurity

"We are seeing adversaries act in increasingly sophisticated ways, at a speed and scale often fueled by AI in a way that I haven't seen before.” says Lisa Monaco, President of Global Affairs at Microsoft.