SFW 2015 In Conversation with Diane von Furstenberg & Steven Kolb 1

SFW 2015: In Conversation with Diane von Furstenberg & Steven Kolb

SFW 2015 In Conversation with Diane von Furstenberg & Steven Kolb 1
Diane von Furstenberg, looking beautiful as ever, gave us her biggest smile for a couple of selfies after her humorous talk on the CFDA, their efforts on promoting emerging designers in the U.S., and her own fashion legacy

She is the one who lived the American Dream. Coming from Belgium with nothing but a small suitcase of her first works (the jersey dresses we all came to know and love), Diane von Furstenberg met with the late Vogue Editor-in-Chief Diana Vreeland in her office with dreams and determination. Little did we know that it was that very meeting which sparked her wondrous and inspiring journey into the Fashion Icon we know today.

 

The DvF Journey

Diane delved into how she created the iconic wrap dresses during 1972 – 1974, selling her brand and taking back control and, now, establishing her brand as a legacy. While she gushed about her brand and how far she has come, she could not help but mention her love/hate relationship with her wrap dresses. She jokingly adds, “I make other things too!”

That aside, she knows it was that very dress that catapulted her to great heights and, well, “paid for all my bills”. During the “robe porte-feuille’s” 40th anniversary, she stood proud in front of her Journey of a Dress exhibit; citing “It gave me my fame and it gave me the American Dream.”

SFW 2015 In Conversation with Diane von Furstenberg & Steven Kolb 1
The final three from the first season of House of DvF; from left to right; Amanda Schauer, Brittany Hampton and Kier Mellour. Credits: House of DvF

A truly ingenious lady, she knew the next step to her brand was to connect with the younger crowd; the millennials, aged 22 – 26. This spurred her docu-reality series House of DvF, where she put eight girls to the test to pick one brand ambassador. It gave us a sneak peek into the organised chaos behind the brand’s marketing, preparation for the fashion runway, to, ultimately, crowning of the DvF girl; Brittany Hampton. As an unexpected surprise, Brittany was actually in the panel today, and, boy, did she have the air of an effortless and sexy confidence of a DvF girl! Diane also revealed that they have just finished filming the second season, and the audience could not help but gasp in excitement – me being one of them!

“It is possible to realise your dreams and become the woman (or man) you want to be.” – Diane von Furstenberg.

Ultimately, she understood that she was selling more than just a dress. She was selling hope, she was selling confidence. Continuing on that, she knew as she and her brand got more influential, she had a duty. She adds that, “when you get a voice, you have a duty for those who don’t.” She spearheaded the DvF awards which celebrates just that – giving thanks to those who have given their all to fight for others. Like Sunitha Krishnan, who received the award in 2013 for her non-governmental organization, Prajwala, which rescues, rehabilitates and reintegrates sex-trafficked victims into society.

 

Council of Fashion Designers of America

Today, she is truly more than a designer behind the brand. She helms the presidency of Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) aimed to bridge two sides – the market and the emerging designers – of the fashion industry into a seamless platform. It really began when the world was infatuated with the French Haute Couture, and the American designers were working in the backroom with so much talent hidden away. People came together, and brought them under the spotlight. One such success story was the late Oscar de la Renta, who brought the world a garden of beauty on the runway and the red carpet.

SFW 2015 In Conversation with Diane von Furstenberg & Steven Kolb 1
A beautifully crafted design from Paul Andrew, the 2014 Winner of the CFDA Fashion Fund. Credits: Coolhunting.com

An interesting initiative, indeed. It has given so many budding designers the funding to pursue their passion (CFDA Fashion Fund) and the exposure they deserve (CFDA Fashion Incubator). This year, in collaboration with SFW 2015, she and other established international designers, including Thakoon, will be helping out with Fashion Futures – a new programme in Singapore hoping to do the same (read more about it here).

 

Of Diane von Furstenberg

Without doubt, she is an inspiration (I have overused this word here, but she truly is). I came out of the talk feeling like I was ready to take on the world! She has left us with a strong sense of motivation, and, more so, golden advice on how to achieve our dreams. Though, she did add one thing we all could not help but laugh, “You don’t have to be a B****h” to get ahead – stay true. How could anyone not fall in love with her?

 

About the Writer
SUPERADRIANME Writer _ Jessica ChanJessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.

One Comment

  1. Great job!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.