Diane von Furstenberg’s wrap dress at 50: Inside the timeless frock that changed fashion forever

Versatile, comfortable, effortless — all wrapped up in one dress.

Half a century ago, unbeknownst to her, Diane von Fürstenberg would create an iconic garment that would cement her as a household name for decades to come: the wrap dress.

Celebrating 50 years since its inception, the Belgian designer was only 27 when she created the frock that would quickly become a fashion artifact, worn by the likes of former first lady Michelle Obama, pop sensation Madonna and the late singer Amy Winehouse.

“I don’t think it has happened to a dress before,” she told Elle.

“And even more remarkable than that is if you go to any store, anywhere in the world, you will find some that may have had two or three generations of wearers, which is a sign of sustainability and timelessness.”

To honor the dress, von Fürstenberg is dedicating 2024 to celebrating the past, she tells Elle, and has launched an anniversary capsule collection called Wrap50, following the release of “Woman Before Fashion,” published by Rizzoli, which details von Fürstenberg’s expansive career.