Facts About Diane von Furstenberg
23 Things You Never Knew About Designer Diane von Furstenberg
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It models rock her clothes and the wrap dress is iconic, but how much do you really know about Diane von Furstenberg? Well, it's about time to increase your knowledge by brushing up on a few key facts about this living legend.
From her days as a princess to the time she took a break from fashion, discover her fascinating history ahead. Still need more DVF? Look back at her Fall '16 presentation, which featured stunning '70s designs and appearances from Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.
1 She Was Once a Princess
Diane married Prince Egon of Fürstenberg in 1969, but the two divorced a few years — and two kids! — later. She wasn't allowed to keep her title when they split, but she did keep the name.
2 Her Mother Was a Holocaust Survivor
She once told Harper's Bazaar, "Most people's mothers are the most influential person in their life. But my mother survived the camps, and she was very strong. She made me strong, but she wanted me to be strong. That's more important."
3 She Had No Idea What She Wanted to Do Career-Wise
But, just like her famous book title says, Diane knew the woman she wanted to be. "I wanted to be an independant woman," Diane once revealed in an interview. "A woman that could pay for her bills, a woman that could run her own life. And I became that woman."
4 She Started Designing in 1970
Even though Diane was still royalty at the time, she really wanted to work. "The minute I knew I was about to be Egon's wife, I decided to have a career," she revealed to The New York Times in 1977. "I wanted to be someone of my own, and not just a plain little girl who got married beyond her desserts."
5 Diana Vreeland Really Helped Give Her Career a Push
When Diane brought a suitcase full of her designs to Vogue's then-editor-in-chief's office, she received positive feedback and was quickly added to the lineup for New York Fashion Week.
6 She Was Inspired by Julie Nixon Eisenhower to Create the Wrap Dress
After seeing Julie pair one of her wrap tops with one of her skirts, Diane had the idea to combine them — and did!
7 By 1976, Diane Had Sold 5 Million Wrap Dresses
And a Newsweek story labeled her "the most marketable woman since Coco Chanel."
8 Her Husband Is Businessman and Media Executive Barry Diller
He's responsible for creating Fox Broadcasting Company and USA Broadcasting. The two had dated after Diane's divorce but didn't truly get together until much later and married in 2001. Speaking about her husband, Diane once said, "What's extraordinary about him is that he loves me so unbelievably unconditionally."
9 Diane and Her Husband Have Signed the Giving Pledge
Like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, they have pledged to give half of their fortune to philanthropy.
10 She Once Quit Fashion
In 1985, Diane "took a step back from the fashion industry," moved to Paris, and started a French publishing house called Salvy. She relaunched her collection in 1997.
11 She's the President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America
She was elected after the organization honored her with a lifetime achievement award.
12 She's Fought For More Diversity and Healthy Bodies on the Runway
"As we approach New York Fashion Week, let's remember that beauty is health and health is beauty," she wrote in a letter for the CFDA. "It is also important to remember that beauty is diversity and as an industry, we stand by these two principles. It is essential to remind ourselves of this as we spread the message to the world."
13 She's Sued Forever 21 For Copying Her Designs
In 2007, a handful of Diane's dresses were copied by the fast-fashion brand.
14 She's Had Her Own TV Show
It was called House of DVF and so far has had two seasons. The contestants compete to become the brand's next ambassador.
15 She's Also Written Multiple Books
Diane: A Signature Life was released in '09, while The Woman I Wanted to Be came out in 2014.
16 Diane Was Named the Most Powerful Woman in Fashion by Forbes Magazine in 2012
She was number 33 on the list of the 100 Most Powerful Women, even beating out Anna Wintour as the highest-ranked name in the industry.
17 She Found Out She Had Tongue Cancer After Lunch With Ralph Lauren
After Ralph told her how a ringing in his ear led him to discover his brain tumor, Diane visited the doctor. "The minute he tells me that, I have a noise in my ear," she told Harper's Bazaar in 2009. "And I think to myself, 'I'm crazy. He tells me about that and I have a noise in my ear?' So I pay no attention. The next day, I still have a noise in my ear, so I immediately went to the doctor, who found nothing wrong with my ear. But he said, 'You know you have a swollen gland here.'" They later removed a cyst from her tongue, and Diane underwent eight weeks of radiation.
18 She's Basically Carrie Bradshaw When It Comes to Shoes
"I think Donatella Versace and I had more Manolos than anyone else," Diane told Footwear News in 2015. "I would not be saying that, but it's a lot. I keep them all."
19 Her Designs Have Been on Gossip Girl
Remember this gold dress that Serena van der Woodsen wore to a Studio 54 party? DVF!
20 And Kate Middleton Has Rocked Her Pieces as Well
21 Along With Michelle Obama
The first lady is also a fan of the wrap dress — despite the fact that Diane once spoke out against Michelle after she chose to wear a non-American designer to a state dinner.
22 She's Collaborated With Gap Kids
She released one collection in 2012 and another the following year.
23 She's Always Been a Hillary Clinton Supporter
Diane supported Hillary in the '08 election, and this time around she even created a t-shirt ($45) for the presidential candidate.
