At 77, Diane von Furstenberg stands as a testament to fashion's enduring allure and its influence on personal liberation. Highlighted by a vibrant pink backdrop at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, she reflects on her storied career and the honors she's accumulated, such as being named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2015 and receiving France's prestigious Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2020. This marks her initial encounter with an exhibition recounting her life's journey and oeuvre, aptly titled “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman Before Fashion.” Curated by Nicolas Lor of the Brussels Fashion & Lace Museum, where the exhibition debuted, it pays homage to Von Furstenberg’s iconic creation, the knitted jersey wrap dress.
Emerging in 1974, this design became a symbol of women’s freedom and was the cornerstone of Von Furstenberg’s burgeoning career. By 1976, the wrap dress had captivated the world, amassing over a million sales and landing Von Furstenberg on Newsweek's cover. By the late 1970s, her dresses were ubiquitous, driving her company’s annual retail sales to exceed $150 million—equivalent to about $617 million today. Despite being in what she terms the winter of her life, Von Furstenberg is committed to her “operation legacy.” Her dynamic style—brightly patterned clothing complemented by pearls, hoop earrings, and white fishnet stockings—exudes timeless flair and exemplifies her lifelong relationship with the camera.
Von Furstenberg’s status as a public figure began early with her marriage to Prince Egon von Füstenberg, a union that produced two children. Yet, she was driven to craft her own identity. Inspired during a tour of a fabric factory near Como, Italy, she began designing “little T-shirt dresses,” evolving her craft into the groundbreaking wrap dress. She regards herself as both a designer and a manifester, a sentiment mirrored in her serendipitous rise. A notable moment in her career trajectory was an introduction to Diana Vreeland of Vogue, facilitated by her princely husband. During their meeting, Vreeland encouraged her with a simple yet profound “Chin up!” as she evaluated Von Furstenberg's creations.
This encouragement led Von Furstenberg to ensconce herself within the New York fashion scene, resulting in a successful debut during Market Week. Her motto, “Feel like a woman, wear a dress,” accompanies an iconic image of her in a chain-link wrap dress. While she jokingly questions its political correctness today, the wrap dress remains a fashionable staple for new generations, consistently rediscovered by the youth. Fueled by the fierce spirit of her inspirations like Gloria Steinem and Angela Davis, Von Furstenberg has positioned herself as a champion of women’s empowerment.
Together with media mogul Barry Diller, she instituted the DVF Awards, recognizing women who, like her, have faced adversity with resilience. This fervency traces back to her mother, a Holocaust survivor whose indomitable will and strength have significantly shaped Von Furstenberg's philosophy. Her mother, imprisoned during World War II, instilled in her a sense of fearlessness and resilience, emphasizing the importance of owning one's vulnerabilities and turning them into strengths. To young women striving to carve their paths, Von Furstenberg advises embracing imperfections as they eventually become one's greatest assets.
