Designer Henry Zankov has been appointed artistic director of the house of Diane von Furstenberg, effective immediately. The New York-based talent will debut the first DVF collection in September 2026 during New York Fashion Week. In this new role, Henry will oversee the brand's full creative direction, from collections to visual identity. He will also continue to lead his own brand, Zankov.

For Zankov, it’s a return as much as a new beginning. He first joined DVF in 2014, later launching Zankov in 2020 and winning the CFDA American Emerging Designer of the Year Award in 2024. His return to DVF began last September with the creation of a capsule collection previewed at the Bergdorf Goodman department store. Starting in Fall/Winter 2026, wholesale distribution of the brand will be handled by Brama Group.

“I have always been surrounded and inspired by strong women, and Diane is the ultimate embodiment of that. The DVF woman is a rebel, confident, curious, and independent. It is an honour and privilege for me to build on Diane’s legacy and carry the brand into the future,” said Zankov.

“I applaud Graziano’s vision. I am looking forward to seeing how Henry’s design flair, sense of colour, and natural sensibility will succeed in winning over a new generation,” said Diane von Furstenberg.

Zankov trained at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and has worked for nearly 15 years in the industry. He was an assistant designer for menswear at Donna Karan and collaborated with labels like Jason Wu and DKNY. In addition to his designer role, Zankov teaches at the Parsons School of Design.

Since joining DVF in 2023, de Boni has been pursuing a long-term strategy focused on revitalising the brand’s aesthetic, restoring product authenticity, and relaunching DVF's global retail distribution. “Bringing the business back in-house in 2025 was a deliberate decision, aimed at reclaiming the brand’s identity and value. This appointment marks a new phase in DVF's evolution. Henry brings fresh energy, strong vision, and renewed cultural relevance, attracting a new generation to DVF,” said de Boni.