Henry Zankov is building his profile in the fashion industry as the artistic director of Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) and the founder of his eponymous label. Known for colourful knitwear, graphic patterns and distinctive silhouettes, the designer has returned to the American fashion house, where he worked from 2014 to 2018, specialising in knitwear.
Zankov was appointed artistic director of DVF on 27 May 2026, taking responsibility for the brand's creative direction, including its collections and visual identity. He presented his debut collection for the fashion house during New York Fashion Week on 10 September 2026, introducing new interpretations of its established designs while retaining elements of its signature style.
His appointment comes as DVF continues to develop its identity under founder Diane von Furstenberg and chief executive Graziano de Boni. Zankov also continues to lead his own label, which he launched in 2020 and that has gained industry recognition for its distinctive knitwear and his subsequent CFDA award.
Who Is Henry Zankov?
Henry Zankov is a fashion designer whose work centres on colour, knitwear and expressive patterns. Born in St Petersburg, Russia, he moved to the United States with his family at the age of nine and grew up in New Jersey. He studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where he developed an interest in knitwear.
Before establishing his own brand, Zankov interned at the cashmere label TSE and worked as a designer at Donna Karan. He joined Diane von Furstenberg in 2014 and remained with the company until 2018.
His experience at DVF brought him into a fashion house known for its distinctive prints, feminine silhouettes and wrap dresses. After leaving the company, he continued developing his design approach before launching his own label in 2020.
Zankov's career has since combined independent design with work for an established fashion brand. His return to DVF as artistic director marks a new chapter in a career that began with a focus on knitwear.
How Henry Zankov Built His Namesake Fashion Brand
Zankov launched his eponymous label in 2020, initially focusing on knitwear defined by bold colours, graphic patterns and distinctive textures. The brand subsequently expanded into ready-to-wear, including dresses, skirts, tops and other separates.
In 2023, he was a runner-up in the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. The following year, he won the CFDA's Google Shopping American Emerging Designer of the Year award. Alongside his role at Diane von Furstenberg, Zankov continues to lead his namesake label, which has been stocked by retailers including Bergdorf Goodman and Net-a-Porter.
Why Henry Zankov Joined Diane von Furstenberg
Zankov was appointed artistic director in May 2026, following a 2025 capsule collection created for DVF in partnership with Bergdorf Goodman. In his new role, he oversees the fashion house's creative direction, including its collections and visual identity.
His approach combines his interest in colour, patterns and knitwear with the brand's established design heritage. The signature wrap dress, introduced by Diane von Furstenberg in the 1970s, remains a key part of the label's identity.
Zankov has described the DVF woman as confident, curious and independent. Founder Diane von Furstenberg has welcomed his appointment as the company continues to develop its collections while maintaining the brand's design legacy.
Henry Zankov's DVF Debut Collection
Zankov presented his debut collection as DVF's artistic director during New York Fashion Week on 10 September 2026. The Spring/Summer 2027 show took place on Manhattan's High Line and marked the fashion house's return to the runway after nearly a decade.
The collection featured the signature wrap dress alongside tailored trousers, relaxed suits, knitwear and flowing gowns. Zankov also incorporated vivid colours, animal prints, contrasting textures and archival motifs, combining familiar DVF elements with new silhouettes.
The collection placed the wrap dress alongside a wider selection of separates and contemporary designs. Through its use of colour, pattern and updated silhouettes, the show introduced Zankov's approach to developing DVF's aesthetic while drawing on the fashion house's design heritage.
