Diane von Furstenberg shows no sign of slowing down yet. The iconic designer and the fashion mogul has been the face of fashion for 40 years and is far from stoppable. In her new memoir, "The Woman I Wanted To Be" the 67 year old powerhouse has plenty of life advice to dish out on, reflecting on aspects of her life, from marriages to a German prince and an American tycoon, to her invention of the wrap dress, to staying fit and even recommendations for aging, "Aging is out of your control. How you handle it, though, is in your hands." she says.
In her introduction, von Furstenberg says, “As a girl, I did not know what I wanted to do but I knew the kind of woman I wanted to be. I wanted to be my own person, independent and free. I knew that freedom could only be achieved if I took full responsibility for myself and my actions, if I were true to truth, if I became my very best friend.”
The memoir is in many ways also a commemoration of her mother. With honesty and wisdom, she opens up about her family life, and the life affirming lessons her mother taught her. Her mother was a Belgian Holocaust survivor whom Von Furstenberg draws a loving portrait of. "My mother was very minute; she was small and very slender. But she was probably the strongest person I ever met." she says.
DVF reflects on her career and the models she's worked with over the years. In her long career she has worked with many models including her close friend Natalia Vodianova but has much admiration for Kate Moss who she considers the biggest model of the decade. The admiration is apparently mutual. DVF recalls meeting Moss once : "When I met [Kate Moss] at a photography opening in London, she told me, 'I want to grow up to be you.' I answered promptly, 'You already are, my dear!' We were both flattered"
"The Woman I Wanted To Be" is an incredibly brilliant read as DVF looks back on her extraordinary life and career, from her childhood in Brussels to taking the fashion world by storm by the time she was in her late 20s and becoming the highly successful, globally present brand she is today. She also talks about overcoming cancer, and devoting herself to inspiring and empowering other women, writing, “I want every woman to know that she can be the woman she wants to be.” There's no denying that Diane has had quite a life and its impossible not to be dazzled by.