In the second segment of our DVF interview, we ask the veteran designer about style, what the iconic wrap dress means to her, how she looks this good at her age and how she unwinds.
She even tells us the five fashion essentials every girl should have!
What stories do your designs tell, and when women wear your designs, what kind of image do you want them to convey?
I want women to feel comfortable with themselves. My biggest challenge is that I design for the woman to feel good about herself, and me as a designer, that is my role – to give women confidence.
What’s the secret to your success?
Oh, I don’t know. Hard work. I don’t know, I love to do what I do, and I try to do it better.
Your brand has always been associated with independence, grace and fearlessness, can you explain how these concepts are translated into your designs?
Yes, I mean, the DVF brand is about effortlessness, sexiness and on the go. What we do in the company is, we celebrate freedom, we empower women, and we sell confidence. And I repeat that on and on in every single way I can.
What is your favourite go-to fashion item right now?
To me, the dress is always the solution, because it’s one-stop shopping in the closet. For me I’m into shirt dresses.
What are the moments where you look back on and think of it as a very big triumph for you?
I guess the big triumph really happened in January where I had the 40th anniversary of the wrap dress and I had this big exhibition in Los Angeles. That was really, for me, the moment of triumph, because I saw the body of my work, in that one building, and I saw what that one dress had represented. Over the years, one dress can be translated into so many ways – long and short, some were 40 years old, some were 10 years old, and then there were a hundred of them that were new. The timelessness of it, that’s what I really was so proud of.
Your wrap dress is such a big phenomenon. When you first created it, did you know that it was going to be a very big hit?
I had no idea that it was going to be so important. It took me a long time to actually appreciate it. Even though it was such an incredible dress to me – it made me famous, made me independent, paid for every bill, every house, and every child’s education. Sometimes I even took it for granted. Sometimes I even resented it. People always say, “Oh, Diane von Furstenberg, the wrap dress”, but after I decided to celebrate it this year and after I saw it at the exhibition, I really understood the true impact of it, and now I’m really impressed and I really honour it.
What is your opinion on the growth of the fashion industry in Asia, and its global influence on the global fashion community?
Asia, is very important. Asian women have always been very elegant. I personally have a lot of respect for Asian women, and I am glad that the rest of the world has caught up. For me, I love it because Asian women look good. They’re feminine, but they’re strong at the same time.
What’s your definition of style?
My definition of style, is that it has to be effortless –effortless confidence. That’s style.
Can you share 5 fashion essentials every girl should have?
Everyone should have a wrap dress, a pair of jeans, beautiful high heels, a comfortable [pair of] shoes, a beaded dress, a sexy top, and everyone should have a what I call an anchor dress. You know, a dress that you can make a strong presentation in the boardroom – that you can compete with men.
You look fantastic throughout the years. What’s your beauty secret?
I think the most important thing is to love life, and to eat healthy, and to lead a healthy life as you possibly can. I’ve been doing yoga all my life.
When making decisions, do you use more of your heart or more of your head?
My heart. I don’t know any other way. My head functions along with my heart, but I follow my heart.
What do you do to unwind?
I really like to hike. I like to read, and I like to swim. On the weekends, I always would hike, and then I have a boat – I spend about 3 months on the boat, every year.
Catch Diane in action on the House of DVF every Tuesday at 11pm on E! (Astro Channel 712)
