- Riken Yamamoto, Diane von Furstenberg and David Beckham named as 2025 Crystal Award recipients.
- The Crystal Award celebrates the achievements of cultural leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing social, environmental and creative progress worldwide.
- This year’s awardees span diverse fields, including architecture, fashion and sport, and are recognized for notable efforts on advancing community regeneration, gender equality, children’s rights, and more.
- Geneva, Switzerland, 9 January 2025 – The recipients of the 31st Annual Crystal Award include renowned architect and 2024 Pritzker Prize laureate Riken Yamamoto, celebrated fashion designer, philanthropist and champion of women’s rights Diane von Furstenberg, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and global advocate for children’s rights David Beckham.
The winners will be honoured at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The Crystal Awards are presented each year by Hilde Schwab, Chairwoman and Co-Founder of the World Economic Forum’s World Arts Forum. The recipients of the 2025 Crystal Award are not only visionaries but also catalysts for meaningful change.
“Through their creativity and insight, they unite us, expand our understanding of the human experience and offer bold, transformative visions that challenge short-term thinking and narrow perspectives,” said Joseph Fowler, Head of Arts & Culture, World Economic Forum. “Their work fosters deeper connections, sparks profound reflection and drives the creation of a more inclusive, forward-thinking future, one that has the power to shape society for the better.”
The 2025 Awardees
Riken Yamamoto is honoured with the 2025 Crystal Award for his outstanding contributions to architecture and society. His dedication to community regeneration, groundbreaking work in sustainability and thoughtful design philosophy have had a significant impact on communities in Japan and beyond. Yamamoto’s work influences the future of architectural practice, highlighting its vital role in improving human life and preserving the environment.
His influential designs, including Hotakubo Housing, Saitama Prefectural University, Jian Wai SOHO and the Yokosuka Museum of Art, reflect his belief in architecture as a catalyst for human connection and societal progress. After the 2011 earthquake in Japan, he founded the Local Area Republic Lab to support community regeneration, reinforcing his commitment to architecture as a place for healing.
Yamamoto’s achievements were recognized with the Japan Art Academy Prize in 2001 and in 2024 he received the Pritzker Architecture Prize. The Pritzker jury hailed his work as a “contribution to humanity”, while Tom Pritzker, Chairman of the Hyatt Foundation, described him as a “world-class philosopher”, acknowledging the nuanced, thoughtful nature of his architectural philosophy.
Diane von Furstenberg, the renowned fashion designer, philanthropist and author is receiving the 2025 Crystal Award for her exceptional contributions to empowering women through philanthropy, mentorship and social responsibility. As founder of her eponymous brand and creator of the iconic wrap dress, she has consistently championed women’s independence and strength as a leading voice in the movement for gender equality and women’s rights.
Beyond her fashion contributions, Furstenberg is a passionate advocate for women. In 2010, alongside the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, she created the DVF Awards to recognize, support and amplify the voices of extraordinary women who are dedicated to transforming the lives of other women. Each year, they recognize five honorees with a grant to further their important work.
Furstenberg also serves on the board of Vital Voices Global Partnership, a non-profit organization founded in 1997. A powerful global network of female leaders, its members include more than 20,000 change-makers in 185 countries, all daring to imagine a more equitable future for all. She is also on the board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) after serving as its chairwoman for 13 years.
Her philanthropic work has earned numerous accolades, including the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She received the Chevalier de la Légion D’Honneur from France in 2020, as well as the Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Couronne from her native Belgium in 2021. In addition to her efforts to empower women, she also spearheaded the fundraising and creation of the new Statue of Liberty museum on New York’s Liberty Island.
David Beckham is honoured with the 2025 Crystal Award in recognition of his long-term humanitarian work and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children worldwide. Through his relentless dedication to children’s education, protection and well-being, Beckham has emerged as a powerful global leader in advocacy for the rights of vulnerable children worldwide, using his platform and resources to create lasting, positive change.
This year Beckham celebrates two decades as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. He has travelled extensively, including to crisis-stricken areas where he has shone a light on the needs of children on the front lines of conflict and crisis. His work extends beyond emergency response; he is a dedicated advocate for young women and adolescent girls, supporting targeted programmes that invest in health, education, rights and gender equality. Through his work with UNICEF he has raised awareness of the importance of immunization and he is a long-time campaigner for malaria prevention.
In 2009, Beckham became a founding member of Malaria No More and has been an ambassador of the UK-based charity ever since. In 2018, he led the award-winning Malaria Must Die campaign, which reached 1 billion people ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, calling for bold action to lead to a malaria-free world.
His belief in the transformative power of sport as a force for good has led him to support many programmes aimed at young people, driving grassroots initiatives that address issues such as racism, mental health and equal opportunities. His personal commitment to supporting young talent in football led to his contribution to the development of an academy system in US soccer that ensures access and inclusion.
Beckham’s legacy as both a world-renowned athlete and a committed ambassador for children’s rights exemplifies his profound cultural impact and influence in driving social change. His enduring dedication to improving lives around the world showcases the power of his platform to deliver influence and impact for the greater good, delivering significant global reach and positive outcomes.
Crystal Awardees are part of a large community of cultural leaders in Davos. Learn more here about the AM25 Arts and Culture programme.
