The words paint Diane's childhood years in Belgium with minimal drama, a typical European cool factor and a girl, the oldest of two siblings, who would grow up to have the title of Princess and more impressively would known by millions of Americans for an effortless dress that swept the fashion world time and time again. To my own surprise though I was more intrigued by the sections of the book in which Diane barely mentions fashion.
The parts in the book about DVF's mother are so interesting. A woman who survived a concentration camp during the Holocaust. The story includes activism, long lost letters that were written in coal and then found, a tattoo that young Diane envied, not understanding what it really was.
The parts in the book about DVF's mother are so interesting. A woman who survived a concentration camp during the Holocaust. The story includes activism, long lost letters that were written in coal and then found, a tattoo that young Diane envied, not understanding what it really was.
Diane von Fürstenberg's existence has been full of glamour, overflowing with travel, money, and social status, yet it was not at all devoid of life's normal ups and downs. Born in Belgium this beauty was catapulted into society when she met her first husband, Prince Egon of Fürstenberg. Her successes stem from a delightful personality, her persistence, a genuine need for independence and a sense of style that has carried her through many eras.
DVF WROTE A BOOK // Here are my thoughts on it :
This quote is as applicable to KP as it is to DVF, impulse rules me life - sometimes I pay for it and sometimes I reap that benefit. I try to harness my impulsiveness for good but often my impulses run my show. Seeing that quality in someone so successful gives me hope.
At one point during the book I started to be annoyed by the obsessive name dropping. After a while I came around to the rational that this 'name-dropping' might actually just be tasteful recognition of people's roles in this story, the work they've done or the contribution to the end result. With a life that included being a Princess, frequenting Studio 54 and other NYC hot spots you are going to meet influential people but the names span such a vast spectrum of players, even the celebrity cynic in me was impressed. The book could easily be turned into a drinking game if you take a shot every time the phrase, "who later became a good friend." or a version of that was used after a name was dropped.
Something that disappointed me a bit was that DVF never discusses the allowance that her upbringing had on her successes. The only point during the whole book that I noticed an acknowledgement of privilege ***is in this sentence, "I had the advantage, of course, of having social status, but my youthful confidence is what made me push open that door." She is referring to a meeting she got with the editor of Vogue, the meeting that lead to her suitcase of wrap dresses blossoming into a business. As someone who cherishes the incredible amount of blessings I've been bestowed it really grinds my gears when a person lacks the humility to offer up a paragraph or two about circumstance and how a person's can determine everything. People can overcome and they can fall between the cracks but, nothing is ever won or lost by the isolated actions of one individual.
At one point during the book I started to be annoyed by the obsessive name dropping. After a while I came around to the rational that this 'name-dropping' might actually just be tasteful recognition of people's roles in this story, the work they've done or the contribution to the end result. With a life that included being a Princess, frequenting Studio 54 and other NYC hot spots you are going to meet influential people but the names span such a vast spectrum of players, even the celebrity cynic in me was impressed. The book could easily be turned into a drinking game if you take a shot every time the phrase, "who later became a good friend." or a version of that was used after a name was dropped.
Something that disappointed me a bit was that DVF never discusses the allowance that her upbringing had on her successes. The only point during the whole book that I noticed an acknowledgement of privilege ***is in this sentence, "I had the advantage, of course, of having social status, but my youthful confidence is what made me push open that door." She is referring to a meeting she got with the editor of Vogue, the meeting that lead to her suitcase of wrap dresses blossoming into a business. As someone who cherishes the incredible amount of blessings I've been bestowed it really grinds my gears when a person lacks the humility to offer up a paragraph or two about circumstance and how a person's can determine everything. People can overcome and they can fall between the cracks but, nothing is ever won or lost by the isolated actions of one individual.
I whole heartedly agree with this statement and I personally hope to remain on good terms with all of the lovers that I've parted with. I never truly lose love, the love like DVF says. "just evolves into another kind of affection." My heart harbors this new feeling as a way of reconciling for the lost romance. Specifically there is one relationship from my past in which I feel both parties were unable to receive closure and that I would rejoice at the opportunity to reconcile. And another relationship, that in spite of a novel worthy break up my ex-lover has been able to maintain a generally healthy relationship with me, he deserves many props for that I suppose. DVF's attitude about romance and partnership stems from her yearning to "live the life of a man, in a women's body." I'm happy to report that I believe we are moving past that kind of wording into a world where a woman is no longer scorned for having sex just simply because it feels good and is now 'allowed' to enjoy her sexuality while not being confined to the idea that 'that's how men live.'
DVF said these words at a graduation speech, I think they are beautiful. A bit generic and cheesy, but that is why they are applicable and romantic. Take them with you as you leave this space, DVF's life was the stuff of passion, dreams, fantasy and she'll have you believe that with hard work your's could be too.
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