Diane von Furstenberg on Fashion and Designing for Women

Pamela Golbin and Diane von Furstenberg

Earlier this year, the French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF) announced that their Fashion Talks series would be honoring three New York-based female designers who have shaped the way women dress: Donna Karan, Catherine Malandrino, and Diane von Furstenberg.  The Fashion Talks are led by my friend Pamela Golbin, chief curator of Paris’s Museum of Fashion and Textiles, who I last saw at Roger Vivier back in early February.  Time flies!  I was able to make it to Diane von Furstenberg’s event earlier this week, and it was a compelling glimpse into her career and design inspiration.

Diane is fabulous.  She is beautiful and intelligent.  She’s a real woman in my eyes — a mother, a savvy businesswoman and a stylish fashion icon all at once.  As the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, she made note of this year’s talented nominees.  She also touched on New York Fashion Week, encouraging sponsors to make it more fun and engaging for everyone, not just fashion insiders.  Diane has always been interested in making fashion inclusive.  When a woman just wants to be herself, Diane noted, she can wear DVF.  It’s stylish and flattering yet still allows a woman to project who she is.  She also seeks to employ primarily women, which is empowering and reassuring — women are getting what they want and need from someone who shares their experience.

Susan with Diane in Paris

After her initial success in the early ’70s, Diane took a business hiatus for several years.  She reemerged on the New York fashion scene in 1997 with the re-launch of her wrap dress that started it all.  I remember my first wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg: I was 12 years old, and I loved it.

Her second venture into fashion has grown ever since, evolving into a global luxury lifestyle brand.  Diane attributes the success to her experience, joking that the older she gets, the younger her consumers are.  “They think I’m cool!” she exclaimed.  It’s also her authenticity.  Diane’s work reflects her fashion flair but her commitment to function, too.  She’s a mover and a shaker, and her clothing is meant for the modern woman with places to go and things to do.  She’s more inspired and humbled by women than ever, she said, and she wants them to be able to wear her clothing with ease.  Her designs work for women Chic Over 40, such as Diane herself, but also for up-and-comers who want to put their best fashion foot forward.

FIAF put together a really strong program.  Though not related to the organization, I also think that this American Express commercial captures Diane very well.  Click here to watch.