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Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is leading the fundraising for the Statue of Liberty Museum
Officials have broken ground on a new museum dedicated to the Statue of Liberty, which is being championed by project “godmother” Diane von Furstenberg.
The legendary fashion designer, who has backed the Liberty Island museum since its conception, is leading the fundraising effort for the development through her philanthropic organisation, the Diller-Furstenberg Family Foundation. Slated to open in 2019 and expecting to welcome 4.3 million visitors a year, the Statue of Liberty Museum already has $40m (£33m, €37m) of the $70m (£58m, €64m) required in the bank.
“Lady Liberty is a symbol of everything America’s about: freedom, hope, possibility and resilience,” says Von Furstenberg. “It is She that millions of immigrants saw first as they arrived in this country, their hearts full of dreams for a brighter future.
“Now it is my hope that the Statue of Liberty and her incredible story will live on and on, inspiring generations for years to come. What she represents out there is everything we love about this country and everything that has to be protected.”
With an impressive network of rich and famous contacts, Von Furstenberg came up with an idea to convince them to support the project – to create a sculpture using original iron bars from the statue. The iron bars, which were created by French engineer Gustave Eiffel, supported the statue for a century before they were replaced during restoration works in 1986. The metal will now be used to create a mural of 50 stars, one for each state, which can be bought by donors for $2m (£1.65m, €1.84m).
“People like what is limited,” explains the Belgium-born Von Furstenberg.
Those who have bought a Liberty Star so far include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for the Bezos Family, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg for Bloomberg Philanthropies, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts for Comcast NBCUniversal, Star Wars creator George Lucas, Chanel, Coca-Cola, the Diller-Furstenberg Family Foundation and the Walt Disney Company.
Designed by Nicholas Garrison, principal at architecture firm FXFOWLE, the 26,000sq ft (2,400sqm) museum is a key part of the beautification plan for Liberty Island, with the grass-roofed building seemingly rising out of the ground. The museum will blend into the island surrounds and not compete with the statue. Inside, ESI Design will handle the exhibits and interactive displays, while the big reveal will be the original torch, which was also replaced in the 1986 restoration. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and the National Park Service are overseeing the plans.
As well as its philanthropic work to support human rights, education and community building initiatives, the Diller-Furstenberg Family Foundation has raised funds for a number of cultural projects in New York, including the High Line and the Whitney Museum of American Art. The upcoming Thomas Heatherwick-designed floating park, Pier 55, has also been largely funded by the foundation with contributions of more than $100m (£83m, €92m).
The designer, who became an icon of women’s fashion when she invented the wrap dress in the mid-1970s, is known for being a shrewd businesswoman, with her fashion empire now rooted in 55 countries worldwide. In 2015, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is leading the fundraising for the Statue of Liberty Museum
Officials have broken ground on a new museum dedicated to the Statue of Liberty, which is being championed by project “godmother” Diane von Furstenberg.
The legendary fashion designer, who has backed the Liberty Island museum since its conception, is leading the fundraising effort for the development through her philanthropic organisation, the Diller-Furstenberg Family Foundation. Slated to open in 2019 and expecting to welcome 4.3 million visitors a year, the Statue of Liberty Museum already has $40m (£33m, €37m) of the $70m (£58m, €64m) required in the bank.
“Lady Liberty is a symbol of everything America’s about: freedom, hope, possibility and resilience,” says Von Furstenberg. “It is She that millions of immigrants saw first as they arrived in this country, their hearts full of dreams for a brighter future.
“Now it is my hope that the Statue of Liberty and her incredible story will live on and on, inspiring generations for years to come. What she represents out there is everything we love about this country and everything that has to be protected.”
With an impressive network of rich and famous contacts, Von Furstenberg came up with an idea to convince them to support the project – to create a sculpture using original iron bars from the statue. The iron bars, which were created by French engineer Gustave Eiffel, supported the statue for a century before they were replaced during restoration works in 1986. The metal will now be used to create a mural of 50 stars, one for each state, which can be bought by donors for $2m (£1.65m, €1.84m).
“People like what is limited,” explains the Belgium-born Von Furstenberg.
Those who have bought a Liberty Star so far include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for the Bezos Family, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg for Bloomberg Philanthropies, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts for Comcast NBCUniversal, Star Wars creator George Lucas, Chanel, Coca-Cola, the Diller-Furstenberg Family Foundation and the Walt Disney Company.
Designed by Nicholas Garrison, principal at architecture firm FXFOWLE, the 26,000sq ft (2,400sqm) museum is a key part of the beautification plan for Liberty Island, with the grass-roofed building seemingly rising out of the ground. The museum will blend into the island surrounds and not compete with the statue. Inside, ESI Design will handle the exhibits and interactive displays, while the big reveal will be the original torch, which was also replaced in the 1986 restoration. The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation and the National Park Service are overseeing the plans.
As well as its philanthropic work to support human rights, education and community building initiatives, the Diller-Furstenberg Family Foundation has raised funds for a number of cultural projects in New York, including the High Line and the Whitney Museum of American Art. The upcoming Thomas Heatherwick-designed floating park, Pier 55, has also been largely funded by the foundation with contributions of more than $100m (£83m, €92m).
The designer, who became an icon of women’s fashion when she invented the wrap dress in the mid-1970s, is known for being a shrewd businesswoman, with her fashion empire now rooted in 55 countries worldwide. In 2015, she was named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
