The heritage brand, launched in 1974, catapulted Diane von Furstenberg’s signature wrap dress into a mainstay in women’s wardrobes more than fifty years ago. It continues to evolve with daring designs!
From Left to Right: Photograph of Diane von Furstenberg from the 1970s and Collage of DVF’s First Wrap Dress; Photo: M. Vizcaino/DVF Flagship NYC Store.
This year, the renowned designer drew inspiration from previous collections and created versatile pieces in knit, silk, and cotton blends with stunning blue/green, pink and purple, and black hues ready to transform your closet dramatically.
Step into the Wild
Choose between tiger, cheetah, or zebra prints in luxury, lightweight fabrics that perfectly meet the moment at any time of day or night. Whether in a business meeting, brunch setting, or evening excursion, these designs have you covered in effortless style, from a show-stopping print trench that can double as a dress to light up the room or sidewalk to a playfully plunging neckline tiger-print wrap or a fabulously form-fitting dress for the trendsetting woman.
From left to right: The Amara Wrap Dress Retails for $498, the Jasper Trench Coat for $698, and the Florence Short Sleeve Dress for $458. Photo: DVF.com.
Classic Prints Are The Rage, Too!
Diane von Furstenberg channels designs from past collections to create silk cotton and viscose ensembles for a new generation of fashion-forward and fearless females, embracing femininity and empowerment in their everyday lives with bold, vibrant pieces.
*Standout piece: A dazzling black and white, bohemian chic 70s-style jumpsuit that exudes confidence in any room.
The Delia Jumpsuit Retails for $498; Photo DVF.com.
Bonus accessory: A flag scarf ( in various colors retails for $258) can instantly transform your outfit from 100 to 1000!
Black Hues Are Back Better Than Ever
You can never go wrong with black if you’re looking for a solid, contemporary hue. It’s sleek, elegant, and transitional. And this season, the fashion legend created pieces to mix and match with staples in your fashion arsenal or wear as a sensational stand-alone.
DVF Ballerina Dress retails for $588; Photo: DVF.com
Meet the Ballerina dress, made with a smooth matte jersey for traversing the city and dancing the night away—in deliciously unrestricted construction! Click here to shop Diane Von Furstenberg’s Odyssey Collection!
The expansive exhibit on director Spike Lee’s career and inspiration to create ground-breaking films on African-American culture is a multi-media tapestry of the artist’s creative journey, spanning almost 40 years.
Spike Lee: Creative Resources Exhibit; Photo: Paula Abreu Pita/Brooklyn Museum.
As soon as you enter the Spike Lee Creative Resources exhibit, Denzel Washington’s Malcolm X character’s infamous fiery 1964 speech from the film permeates the room. The scene, audio, costumes, and other colorful props from the movie, released in 1992, engulf your senses and prime you for what’s next.
A nostalgic visual stimulation that gives you front-row access to Lee’s early life.
Clockwise: Spike, Joie, David, Cinqué, and Christopher Lee at 186 Warren Street, Cobble Hill, circa 1967–1970; Photo: Unknown Artist.
In this room, there’s a collection of paintings in color and black and white of Spike Lee’s family — from his siblings as kids on the stoop of his beloved Brooklyn neighborhoods (an abstract character present in Lee’s films) to portraits of his dad, Bill, a renowned jazz bassist and composer, heavily influencing the filmmaker’s taste in music and scoring many of his films, like the critically-acclaimed Inside Man, where you can hear the theme song, play intermittently throughout the exhibit to photos with Lee and his children. Family played a pivotal role in shaping Lee’s love for the arts and the narratives of the projects he’s brought — and continues to bring — to life.
Next up: Do the Right Thing’s Immersive Experience
L to R: Illustration of Reggie Miller’s Infamous choking gesture, taunting Spike Lee; Image: Spike Lee’s archives/Brooklyn Museum.
From the neon “Fight the Power” sign to an encased Sal’s pizza box prop hanging on the wall and a movie clip of Rosie Perez’s opening scene of Do the Right Thing, where she’s grooving and shaking to Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”— a song that changed rap music forever with its powerful lyrics and inconvenient social truths that drew legions of fans, including myself, to love the music genre, and cemented the film’s influence not only in Hollywood but in American culture.
The Sports Wing — There’s a Lot!
You’ll see scores of photographs and athlete jerseys from one of Lee’s favorite teams, The New York Knicks, where Spike Lee has been a fan since practically the womb. And as an avid sports memorabilia collector and once aspiring baseball player, there’s an array of news clippings of images showcasing his controversial court-side antics, signed autographs from the likes of Michael Jordan, young and old, to illustrations of Knick nemesis Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers) infamous choking gesture, a nod to the Knicks/Pacers rivalry. Lee’s fusion of sports narratives into his films while celebrating the Black sports figures breaking records and acquiring the highest accolades in their respective fields is a testament to Lee’s unwavering commitment to amplifying excellence in Black culture.
L to R: Illustration of Reggie Miller’s Infamous choking gesture, taunting Spike Lee; Image: Spike Lee’s archives/Brooklyn Museum.
The Music and Film Poster Rooms
Lee’s mom, Jacquelyn Shelton Lee, introduced him to movies and musicals when he was young, fomenting his interest in entertainment. Visitors can soak in the filmmaker’s extensive musical instrument collection, including Prince’s guitars, one-of-a-kind record players, and the movie posters he’s amassed. Posters reflecting all movie genres, from Jaws and TheDeer Hunter to Raging Bull and North by Northwest, and photographs of Spike Lee with cinema greats, actors Robert Deniro and Joe Pesci, and filmmaker Martin Scorsese, fill the hall.
Spike Lee’s collection of Prince’s guitars.
There are seven sections to the Spike Lee: Creative Sources exhibit to blow you away. I won’t share any more details because you should run, not walk, to this comprehensive, educational, and awe-inspiring collection of 350 pieces, organized by Kimberli Gant, Curator, Modern and Contemporary Art, with Indira A. Abiskaroon, Curatorial Assistant, Modern and Contemporary Art. The exhibit displays many facets of Lee: his advocacy for justice and homage to the African American titans who came before and after him, who have challenged the status quo and have made a mark in every aspect of American life, and last but not least, his playful side.
Spike Lee: Creative Sources will be running through February 4th. Click here to get your get tickets to see this extraordinary exhibit!
Don't Suck My Collagen 