Photo Flash: Diane von Furstenberg's New Exclusive Collection of Merchandise for the High Line

Friends of the High Line today announced an exclusive collection of special apparel and products created by Diane Von Furstenberg for the non-profit organization's newly launched merchandise program. The collection, which is the first created by a fashion designer for the High Line, includes limited-edition pieces, such as men and women's cotton tees, a lightweight gauze scarf, sunhat, tote bag, magnets, and notebook set. All pieces feature original illustrations from Diane, along with the phrase, "Dreams come true on the High Line." The collection is available for purchase from the High Line's Web site and the High Line Merchandise Cart, which is open Wednesday through Sunday on the High Line at West 16th Street between 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM. Prices range from $10 to $85. One hundred percent of the proceeds support the ongoing maintenance and operations of the High Line.

"The High Line is very close to my heart. It is always a pleasure to work with Friends of the High Line and I am so proud of what they have accomplished in making this park a reality. It has brought so much for our city and our neighborhood, and now the merchandise program keeps us looking toward the future. Dreams really do come true on the High Line!" said Diane Von Furstenberg.

"We are thrilled to be collaborating with Diane Von Furstenberg to debut unique merchandise for the High Line," said Joshua David, Co-Founder of Friends of the High Line. "This special partnership celebrates the High Line's creative energy and the spirit that Diane herself has brought to our work over the past decade. People once thought that saving the High Line was an impossible dream, but Diane and her family stepped forward with visionary support and guidance to make it a reality. Today the High Line is one of our city's beloved public spaces, and Diane has inspired us to create new ways to sustain the park's maintenance and operations, which are funded by the generosity of private donors and initiatives like this special merchandise collection."

This collection is the latest way that Diane Von Furstenberg and her family have supported the High Line. The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation has committed more than $35 million to the High Line, including a $20 million gift in 2011. This gift, the largest ever given to a New York City public park, will support efforts by Friends of the High Line to transform the final, undeveloped section of the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards and help build an endowment for the park's long-term maintenance and operations.

About Diane Von Furstenberg 
Founded in 1972, Diane Von Furstenberg is one of the premier names in American fashion. Renowned for its iconic wrap dress and signature prints, the DVF brand is headquartered in New York City, with its flagship studio and boutique located next to the High Line in Manhattan's Meatpacking District. DVF offers four complete collections a year, swimwear, and accessories. The full range of accessories extends to shoes, handbags, small leather goods, belts, scarves, eyewear, fine jewelry, watches and luggage. In 2011, DVF debuted a home collection, encompassing tabletop, bedding and rugs, as well as Diane the fragrance. In 2012, Diane Von Furstenberg was named #33 on Forbes Magazine's "World's Most Powerful Women" List. DVF is currently sold in over 70 countries and 54 freestanding shops. For more information, visit http://www.DVF.com.

About the High Line and Friends of the High Line 
The High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan's West Side. It is owned by the City of New York, and maintained and operated by Friends of the High Line. Founded in 1999 by community residents, Friends of the High Line fought for the High Line's preservation and transformation at a time when the historic structure was under the threat of demolition. It is now the non-profit conservancy working with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation to make sure the High Line is maintained as an extraordinary public space for all visitors to enjoy. In addition to overseeing maintenance, operations, and public programming for the park, Friends of the High Line works to raise the essential private funds to support more than 90 percent of the park's annual operating budget, and to advocate for the transformation of the High Line at the rail yards, the third and final section of the historic structure, which runs between West 30th and West 34th Streets. For more information, visit http://www.thehighline.org.