THE CHIC LIST: My first designer love, and the woman who sparked it
The Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress was my first designer purchase a decade ago. I remember my excitement visiting her vibey store in New York’s Meat Packing district. The Duchess of Cambridge had just worn one in Australia.
Likewise Michelle Obama, on an early White House Christmas card. Sarah Jessica Parker had also put the world to rights in one on Sex and the City and Jennifer Aniston had served coffee in a leopard wrap in Central Perk on Friends.
Fast-forward to today and, at the start of Woman in Charge, the new Disney+ documentary on her life, Von Furstenberg, with just-out-of-bed-hair, climbs into her vast bathroom sink where she regularly sits to put on her make-up.
Now 77, the fashion legend looks at her face closely in the mirror and asks, ‘Why do so many people not embrace age?’, adding that wrinkles are ‘a map of life’. True to her word, she is often seen wearing little make-up on her Instagram (@therealdvf).
Top, Mint Velvet, Shorts and Hat, Cos
Watching the film, it’s hard not to fall in love with this kickass boss lady, whose iconic dress was inspired by ballerinas’ wrap tops. After debuting her design in 1974, it appeared in Women’s Wear Daily with her slogan ‘Feel like a woman, wear a dress!’ Fifty years on, young women are scouring vintage shops for her original designs – nothing stays out of fashion for too long.
In the documentary, the Belgian-born designer speaks with candour about her sexual exploits and sexual fluidity – she fell in love with a boy and then a girl in boarding school. She has some memorable Studio 54 anecdotes, too – including turning down a threesome with David Bowie and Mick Jagger. ‘Initially, I thought, “Well that’s something I could tell my grandchildren!”’ she laughs. ‘But then I decided that actually I couldn’t.’
She also addresses her mother’s time in Auschwitz and how her trauma shaped their entire lives. There’s mention, too, of the hedonistic marriage to her German prince, Egon von Furstenberg, the father of her two children – the union was a chaotic rollercoaster of parties and noise, until she finally decided that she would be happier single. They divorced in 1983.
Meanwhile, her business collapsed and she battled tongue cancer. Broken, she took a break from fashion and fled to Bali and Paris. When she returned to the US in 1992 she took the bold decision to defy the snobs and appear on the TV shopping channel QVC to sell her dresses. They were an instant hit and she built it all back up again – wrap dress by wrap dress.
Spotted
Actress Katie Holmes (right) on the phone in New York City wearing Me + Em’s cotton bouclé maxi dress (£250, meandem.com).
Dress, £97, arket.com
Frock on
Speaking of wrap dresses making a return, I adore this elegant blue and white number from Arket. Perfect for a holiday or city break. Style with a raffia basket, sandals and sunnies.
Sunglasses, around £315, gdmonaco.com
Amazing grace
Luxury brand Grace de Monaco’s Drama Collection features sunglasses not only expertly handcrafted in Italy but inspired by its muse Grace Kelly and her film roles. The Georgie style, right , is named after her character in The Country Girl.
Natasha Pszenicki, getty images
