Diane von Furstenberg, the iconic fashion designer and owner of DVF, was in Singapore recently, and I had the pleasure of attending her conversation with Steven Colb, CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Having just finished her book, “The Woman I Wanted to Be,” I was already familiar with much of her story, but meeting her in person was a delight. Diane came across as kind and genuine, confirming my positive perceptions of her.
Diane’s life story is truly remarkable. She grew up in a wealthy family in Belgium and was introduced to a glamorous lifestyle early on. At 24, she married a prince, officially becoming a princess for a short period before moving to New York with her new husband. They quickly became the city’s celebrated “it” couple.
Before moving to New York, Diane spent a valuable year in an Italian factory learning about fabric manufacturing and print design. Armed with a suitcase of dresses, she arrived in New York intending to sell them. Her socialite status and connections led her to meet Diana Vreeland, who loved her elegant jersey dresses and featured them in Vogue. With the help of a great salesman, Diane started taking orders and officially launched her business.
Two years later, Diane introduced the wrap dress, which became a phenomenal success. By the age of 27, she had sold millions of dresses and became a millionaire, allowing her to purchase her dream home, which she still owns today.
In her book, Diane shares a lot about her personal life, including her two marriages, two children, and various love affairs. She is clearly a woman driven by impulse, a trait that has influenced both her personal and professional life.
Diane has accomplished a lot throughout her career. After selling her clothing and makeup businesses in her 30s, she made a comeback in her 50s. Even though she felt lost in her 40s, she returned stronger than ever. Today, Diane is a confident woman achieving new heights each year. Her brand, DVF, is now among the top luxury international brands. She embraces her natural curls and stays active, constantly adapting to new technologies, and even joining reality television. There’s seemingly nothing she can’t do.
The wrap dress remains central to DVF’s business, alongside their printed jersey fabrics. The brand’s philosophy is clear: chic, effortless fashion for the woman on the move. The wrap dress’s enduring popularity is due to its flattering design, which suits women of all sizes by accentuating their bodies in all the right places while cleverly disguising any problem areas with wraps, folds, and prints.
While the wrap dress remains iconic, DVF now offers many other fabulous designs. Some favorites include the Bevina Sheath dress, Lori Jumpsuit, and Adria Silk Top. Currently, Diane’s goal is to leave a lasting legacy and firmly establish her brand as a long-standing powerhouse, a goal she is well on her way to achieving.
If you’re interested in learning more about Diane’s fascinating journey, her book “The Woman I Wanted to Be” is available on Amazon. Her collection is also available at Nordstrom.