NEW YORK  — The Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC) hosted its second annual PAC NYC ICONS OF CULTURE GALA, presented by BNY, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City.

Celebrating legendary fashion designer, philanthropist, and author Diane von Furstenberg as the 2025 PAC NYC ICON OF CULTURE, the evening gathered von Furstenberg’s longtime friends and collaborators to pay tribute to her incomparable influence on fashion and design, while also serving as a mentor and tireless advocate for girls and women around the world.

The evening mixed together special musical performances, dance numbers, and comedy to celebrate Diane von Furstenberg's career and contributions to New York, including her efforts in revitalizing downtown Manhattan following September 11.

Co-hosted by Seth Meyers, the evening included appearances and performances by Andy Cohen, esperanza spalding, Jennifer Nettles, J’Nai Bridges, Karlie Kloss, Lorin Latarro, Mark Ronson, Michael R. Bloomberg (Chairman, PAC NYC), Michael Cerveris, Norah Jones, von Furstenberg’s goddaughter Tara Summers, Tiffany Haddish, and Titus Burgess.

Introducing Diane von Furstenberg as the 2025 PAC NYC ICON OF CULTURE, Michael R. Bloomberg, Chair of the Board, PAC NYC, said, “I’ve been lucky to call Diane a good friend for many years, and she has had an enormous impact on our culture and on the city we love – through her support for the fashion industry, our parks and green spaces, and as a passionate defender of the values that make New York City a beacon of hope for people from around the world. She’s one of the brightest lights in the history of fashion – and along the way, she’s helped light the way for others, in so many ways.”

While accepting the PAC NYC ICON OF CULTURE award, von Furstenberg said, “Getting ready for tonight brought me back to 9/11.  I already had my studio downtown, and I witnessed the attack. It was a shock to everyone.  Shortly after, Mike became mayor, and everybody got together to help one another. Downtown showed its resilience and, like a phoenix, was reborn. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum, The Tribeca Film Festival, The High Line, The Whitney, The Little Island. And now this wonderful place we celebrate tonight.”

Program highlights include:

● Co-host Seth Meyers said, “Her life already sounds like a myth. If you scripted DVF’s story, you would be laughed out of every studio in Hollywood. Unless that studio was Paramount from 1974-1984, in which case Barry Diller would likely say, ‘This DVF kid has got something!’ Her story is an impossible parade of fabulous miracles.”

● A collection of performances telling the story of von Furstenberg’s life and career through charismatic and musical interpretations, such as Tituss Burgess’s performance of ‘NYC’ from Annie, which told the iconic story of von Furstenberg's journey to New York and the creation of the iconic wrap dress – and even included a surprise cameo from Mike Bloomberg.

● 25 dancers in DVF wrap dresses performed to “Rapture” by Blondie, choreographed by Lorin Latarro. The dancers moved throughout the aisles and on the stage while the audience sang and danced along.

● In discussing the impact of her philanthropic work and the iconic wrap dress, Andy Cohen said, “She didn’t just create a dress but the world around it.”

● The night began with esperanza spalding’s beautiful performance of “Love” by Joni Mitchell to open the show, and ten-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist Norah Jones closed the celebratory evening with a three-song set of her hits “Come Away with Me,” “Little Broken Hearts,” and “Don’t Know Why.”

PAC NYC ICONS OF CULTURE Gala is an annual signature event that shines a spotlight on the artistic excellence of the Perelman Performing Arts Center and honors an individual who has had a remarkable influence on culture and impact in the world. Due to presenting sponsor BNY’s commitment to culture and community, as well as support from the Bank of New York Mellon Foundation and Dalio Philanthropies, 100% of proceeds of the Gala goes directly to the artistic and civic programs of PAC NYC.

The second annual PAC NYC ICONS OF CULTURE Festival, following the gala, will take place from October 29 - November 1, 2025 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. This year’s festival will celebrate Women in Front, featuring high-profile conversations with women who are leading the way and making a distinct mark in our society, including artist and designer Es Devlin, actress and playwright Danai Gurira, activist and model Christy Turlington Burns, actress, advocate, director and producer Lucy Liu, and more.

For the first time ever, world-renowned artist Es Devlin will bring her acclaimed choral installation ES DEVLIN: CONGREGATION to the United States, premiering October 29 – November 1 as part of PAC NYC ICONS OF CULTURE. Due to high demand, the installation will return for an extended run from Tuesday, December 9, 2025, through Sunday, January 4, 2026. Presented by PAC NYC, ES DEVLIN: CONGREGATION is supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and tickets are available on a Pay What You Wish basis with timed entry required.

For more information about the Perelman Performing Arts Center and its upcoming programs and events, please visit pacnyc.org.

ABOUT PAC NYC

Opened in September 2023, Perelman Performing Arts Center (PAC NYC, Khady Kamara Nunez, Executive Director, Bill Rauch, Artistic Director) is the final piece of the rebuilding of the World Trade Center after 9/11. Chaired by former New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg, PAC NYC represents the resilience of the city standing as a beacon of hope and affirmation of life through music, theater, dance, opera, media, and more. Visit www.pacnyc.org for more information.

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