Website: www.dvf.com
She was born Diane Michelle Halfin in Brussels, Belgium in 1946. She is Belgian by birth, with Russian Jewish blood. Her mother Lily Nahmias, was a courageous survivor of Auschwitz German Concentration camp. Diane majored in Economics at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. In 1969, she became an apprentice to Angelo Ferretti, an Italian textile manufacturer.
Using silk jersey prints she produced a line of clothes, mostly tunic dresses in varying length and bias-cut shirtwaisters. In the same year, she moved with her husband Austrian Prince Egon von Und Zu Furstenberg, to New York. She showed some dresses she had made to Diana Vreeland, then editor of Vogue, who put one of her dresses in the magazine. It was a hit. In 1972, she had enough orders toopen her own business in New York.
In the 70's, she created a wraparound dress, which became a best seller. It had long sleeves, a fitted top and a skirt which wrapped around the body to tie at the waist. By 1975, 5 million of these wraparound dresses had been sold.
In 1975, Diane Von Furstenberg made the cover of Newsweek magazine. She was called New York's fashion queen.
Von Furstenberg favours jersey and often uses geometric prints in the dresses she designs.
She built up an empire of cosmetics, jewellery, handbags, scarves, stockings and other products. In 1984, she sold her Cosmetic business to Beecham for $ 24 million and moved to Paris.
In 1990, she moved back to New York . She started up "Surroundings" her lifestyle range, that includes candles, sheets, and dresses. She has also founded a publishing house.
In 1997, her son Alexander married one of the 3 famous Miller sisters one of whom married into the Greek royal family. Her daughter-in-law became creative director of the company.
In 1999 Diane von Furstenberg became a Director on the Board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) the ruling body of the American fashion industry.
In the year 2001, she opened a new store in New York. In April 2003, Diane entered into partnership with Reebok Sports Shoes, and introduced her new line RBK by DVF. Venus Williams will be wearing tennis clothes by the new firm, at Wimbledon in June 2003. We will try to put a picture up as soon as possible.
Spring/Summer 2003
Diane showed the Spring/Summer 2003 entitled "Once Upon a Time" collection at the New York Fashion Week in September 2002, which was greeting with aclaim. This dress is from that collection.
One of the Diane von Furstenberg's most glamourous dresses was modeled by Indian model Meghana Reddy, which is the first time that an Indian girl has been seen on the New York fashion scene.
Autumn/Winter 2003 Ready-to-Wear
New York - February 2003
The outfit on the left is one from the Autumn/Winter collection.
Diane and her creative director Nathan Jenden, took the James Bond girl as their inspiration for this collection, creating a wardrobe perfect for seducing spies, battling criminals and sipping cocktails at sunset. She used her famous wrap-over dress in a shorter, asymmetrical cut. Then filmy printed chiffons and evening dresses with plunging necklines. Unique colour combinations gave the show a 1970's flavour. Peacock blue velvet minidresses, white flannel coats and rainbow-hued sweaters worn over skintight jeans, were all included.
Tennis Smash
Diane scored another smash hit when she designed the tennis dress worn by Venus Williams at Wimbledon in June 2003.
It was an open-laced back corset-style in white, and a picture is shown here on the right.
Spring/Summer 2004
During New York Fashion Week in September 2003, Diane von Furstenbeg showed her usual elegant New York-woman collection for next Spring. An outfit from this collection is shown on the left.
Her signature wrap dresses were interspersed with Egyptian-printed chiffon kaftans and feminine tailored trousers, shorts and tennis dresses. She also showed white Grecian goddess robes, sexy ruffle-hemmed minis and glimmering column dresses. Diane's talent for variety keeps her at the top of the fashion world.
First London Store
In September 2003, in fashionable Notting Hill, Diane celebrated her first London Store with a party loaded with celebrities. She wore one of her iconic wrap dresses with a flower print in wine-dreg red.
Fall/Winter 2004
The Fall collection was shown during New York Fashion Week in February 2004.
Diane deducated her show to the Glamazon (which also happens to be the name of her newest beauty line). Nathan Jenden assisted her as always, with the designs. She presented lots of tweeds and tartans, skintight cuts, curvy jackets and eye-dazzling colour combinations. A metallic tunic with a hood reminded one of medieval battle armour.
The designer at the house is Nathan Jensen (born 1971) who took a bow at the end of the show, alongside Diane.
Diane's dream came true in September 2004, when her first Parisian flagship store opened amidst a host of international celebrities.
Spring/Summer 2005
During New York Fashion Week in September 2004, Diane von Furstenberg presented her Spring collection. A dress from the show is pictured on the right.
As always the collection was ideal for the smart modern women, showing chic, sexy clothes with a travel theme. Cotton safari shirts and slim shorts, satin suits which would be fine for urban explorers as well as in the jungle. Plenty of sportswear and chiffon tops, sassy skirts, some trimmed with coins and lots of her famous slim wrap dresses in a variety of prints. Just right for a New York summer.
Fall/Winter 2005
The Fall/Winter collection was shown during New York Fashion Week in February 2005.
Diane took us to the Russian Steppes for Fall, using her signature wrap dresses with warm winter coats.
Peasant tops and full skirts delved into territory she is very familiar with.
She is using military details to give a stricter look, making snug knit suits or slim pants.
On the left is one of her velvet day dresses in a red velvet, ideal for the colder weather.
Spring/Summer 2006
New York
Diane von Furstenberg presented her Spring/Summer 2006 collection during New York Fashion Week in September 2005. A beautiful dress from the collection is shown on the right.
She presented many full length gowns, beaded and embellished, and skirts in colourful chiffons and jersey. Her signature wrap dresses came in brightly printed slinky jersey As always it was an elegant feminine collection.
The mood was a bit spoiled by an accident at the end of the show, when a rack of lights fell on the audience and hurt several people.
Awards Season
This is the time when magazines and organizations pick their "....Best of the Year" and lots of hopefuls get awards. Glamour magazine chose Diana von Furstenberg, as their designer of the year. Guests at the occasion included Goldie Hawn, Brooke Shields. and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who made the introductory speech.
click below:
Diane Von Furstenberg : the Wrap by Amy Spindler and Andre Leon Talley
Diane: A Signature Life by Diane von Furstenberg
The Bath by Diane von Furstenberg
The Table by Diane von Furstenberg
Diane Von Furstenberg's Book of Beauty: by Diane von Furstenberg
2005
Tatiana