Diane Von Furstenberg Designer Date of Birth: 31.12.1946 Country: Belgium

1. Biography of Diane von Furstenberg
2. A Journey of Independence
3. Success and Self-Reflection
4. A Rebirth and Global Expansion

Biography of Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg, the renowned fashion designer, will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of her brand, Diane von Furstenberg, in 2008. By that time, she will have 22 of her own stores worldwide. Her iconic creation, the wrap dress, which she first introduced in 1973 and later relaunched in the late 90s, became her "little black dress". The dress featured a figure-flattering silhouette, no closures, and vibrant prints. Within the first few years, she sold 5 million pieces of these dresses.

A Journey of Independence

Diana's fashion journey began when she married Egon von Furstenberg, an Austrian prince known for his wealth and lineage, at the age of 22. However, she did not want to be just a wealthy man's wife. She desired independence and decided to create a few dress samples to sell in America. This adventure proved successful, and she became the woman she had always dreamt of being.

Her dress, released in 1973, offered an alternative to the complicated fashion trends of the time and the rigid business suits worn by working women. Advertisements featured Diana, elegantly draped in her colorful dress, with the caption "Feel like a woman, wear a dress!" The dress became a personal dialogue between Diana and women, helping them look and feel better, and empowering them with confidence.

Success and Self-Reflection

By 1976, Diana made the cover of Newsweek and danced at Studio 54 with Bianca Jagger. She rubbed shoulders with Andy Warhol and strolled through Manhattan with Yves Saint Laurent. By the age of 30, she sold a range of products under her name, from cosmetics to wallpaper. She could have easily rested on her laurels, but instead, she chose to explore new horizons. She sold her name on licenses, stopped designing clothes, sold her Fifth Avenue apartment in 1985, and eventually moved to Paris after divorcing her prince.

In Paris, she pursued romantic interests and indulged in her passion for publishing. However, upon her return to New York in the 90s, she realized that she had become somewhat forgotten. It was her daughter, Tatiana, who informed her that young people were buying her vintage wrap dresses from flea markets and second-hand stores. This discovery sparked a resurgence of her fashion career.

A Rebirth and Global Expansion

During a fashion show in Paris in 1996, Diana met the president of Saks Fifth Avenue. By 1997, she was assisting customers in Saks, guiding them to try on the new version of her iconic wrap dress. The new dresses featured shorter lengths, smaller collars, and a specially developed silk jersey fabric created in China.

In 2008, the Diane von Furstenberg brand will celebrate its 10th anniversary, with 22 stores worldwide. Just recently, a store opened in Brussels, Diana's homeland. Her mother, a Greek Jew, survived concentration camps, and her father, a Moldovan Jew, hailed from Russia. Diana has always had a deep affinity for Russia, growing up with Russian literature and her father speaking to her in Russian. She visited Russia multiple times, even during the Brezhnev era.

Diana von Furstenberg is not just a living woman; she is vivacious. Her vitality is felt in her clothing, which always showcases vibrant colors, unconventional combinations, and a unique bohemian spirit. Each of her dresses performs a miracle, transforming the wearer into someone slimmer, more confident, and sensuous. The silk jersey fabric caresses and refreshes, and the deep neckline reveals just enough. There is never a hint of fussiness or vulgarity in her designs, just like Diana herself. She exudes regal grace and appears remarkably calm, despite living and working as if every day were her last. "I have always been this way. You just do what you have to do. I have worked my entire life. Even when we went dancing every night, I would get up in the morning and go to work. You just need to know when to stop."