Diane Von Fürstenberg Collection
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Articles on Diane Von Fürstenberg
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New York is a fun place for fashion. It welcomes a myriad of styles and looks that might be completely different from each other, but can still fall under one sleepless city. The famous city boasts an array of designers and brands that are a diverse as the city and the country themselves. In one side, there are the Park Avenue luxury labels bought by socialites and society matrons alike. On the other, there are the street brands that cater to the hip and urban New Yorkers. In between, there are the lifestyle brands whose names have become global and is beloved around the world. Among this collective of designers is Diane von Fürstenberg.
Characterized by her fun and effortless style, Diane von Fürstenberg has been dressing women for decades. Her style is completely her own—a mix of bohemian freedom and upscale refinement. She creates a wardrobe for the contemporary woman, one who is multi-faceted and as diverse as the fashion offered by the great designer. A big believer in color and print, she embraces the quirky side of fashion, often showcasing a colorful and vibrant collection during New York Fashion Week. Because of all her contributions, she herself has become a grand institution of American fashion.
Designer’s Roots and Brand Foundation
Born on December 31, 1946, Diane von Fürstenberg was brought up in Brussels Belgium. She is of the Jewish faith, and her mother was a Holocaust survivor. Fürstenberg initially studied at Madrid University in Spain before transferring to the University of Geneva to study economics. After graduating, she went on to Paris where she secured an assistant position under Alber Kroski, an agent to famous fashion photographers at the time. She then left Paris to work in Italy under textile manufacturer Angelo Ferretti. It was there where she learned about luxurious fabrics and started making dresses herself.
In 1969, she married Prince Egon zu Fürstenberg, a nobleman of German descent. It was through him where she got the name von Fürstenberg. A year after they got married, she started designing clothes for women, which were then bought by many high-profile clients. When she moved to New York in the late 70’s, she caught the eye of Diana Vreeland, former editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine. Vreeland liked Fürstenberg’s work and included her into the New York Fashion Week Calendar. Thus her brand was born. The brand was then subsequently closed during the 1990’s when Fürstenberg ventured into other business. She opened it again in 1997.
Accolades in Fashion
Throughout her career, Fürstenberg has become one of the most prominent women in fashion. She is a highly-respected player in the field, receiving awards and recognitions left and right. Because of its massive influence on women’s fashion, her famous ‘wrap dress’ is displayed at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. In 2005, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. From 2006 to today, she has held the position of president of the said council. In 2010, she was awarded the Gold Medal at the annual Queen Sofia Spanish Institute Gold Medal Gala.
The Wrap Dress
In 1974, Fürstenberg introduced her most famous piece and the signature of her fashion empire: the wrap dress. Made out of jersey, it did not have a zipper or any hardware for fastening. Rather, it was an open robe-like garment with straps on the end of each side to tie the dress in place. Designed in luxurious fabrics and a variety of prints, it soon became a hit among women. They loved it for its easiness, sophistication, and touch of sexiness. It has become a timeless piece, with women from the succeeding generations embracing the classic garment. To this day, the brand still sells wrap dresses.
Muses Through The Years
Known as one of the most female-friendly designers work in the industry, she has amassed a following of famous clientele throughout the years. She’s become a favorite on the red carpet and on daytime events, especially with her printed designs. The likes of Susan Sarandon, Kate Beckinsale, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Tina Brown have all worn her designs. Even the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton herself, has worn the designer many times during Royal events. Such is the prestige of the New York label and the designer, who herself was once a princess, have. With an A-list clientele like hers, she’s become one of the most respected designers in the industry.
Now, Diane Von Fürstenberg is no longer the head designer of her company, having left the position in 2016. However, her brand still stands to this day. They’re now available in many countries and pieces from their seasonal collections can be bought in some of the most prominent retailers and e-commerce websites. Her clothes, although designed by other people, still carry the refinement and distinct identity that made Fürstenberg the fashion powerhouse she is to this day.
