The Woman I Wanted to Be

Overview

One of the most influential, admired, and innovative women of our time: fashion designer, philanthropist, wife, mother, and grandmother, Diane von Furstenberg offers a book about becoming the woman she wanted to be.

Diane von Furstenberg started out with a suitcase full of jersey dresses and an idea of who she wanted to be—in her words, “the kind of woman who is independent and who doesn’t rely on a man to pay her bills.” She has since become that woman, establishing herself as ...

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The Woman I Wanted to Be

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This item will be available on October 28, 2014.
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Overview

One of the most influential, admired, and innovative women of our time: fashion designer, philanthropist, wife, mother, and grandmother, Diane von Furstenberg offers a book about becoming the woman she wanted to be.

Diane von Furstenberg started out with a suitcase full of jersey dresses and an idea of who she wanted to be—in her words, “the kind of woman who is independent and who doesn’t rely on a man to pay her bills.” She has since become that woman, establishing herself as a global brand and a major force in the fashion industry, all the while raising a family and maintaining “my children are my greatest creation.”

In The Woman I Wanted to Be, von Furstenberg reflects on her extraordinary life—from childhood in Brussels to her days as a young, jet-set princess, to creating the dress that came to symbolize independence and power for an entire generation of women. With remarkable honesty and wisdom, von Furstenberg mines the rich territory of what it means to be a woman. She opens up about her family and career, overcoming cancer, building a global brand, and devoting herself to empowering other women, writing, “I want every woman to know that she can be the woman she wants to be.”

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
10/06/2014
In this captivating memoir, fashion powerhouse von Furstenberg (Diane: A Signature Life) thoughtfully reflects on her colorful life—and doesn’t skimp on the juicy details. Von Furstenberg begins movingly by writing of her need to please her mother, a concentration camp survivor, while growing up in Brussels. The book then moves on to her life as a jet-set princess and fledgling designer in New York City, her invention of the iconic jersey wrap dress in the early 1970s, and stories of her children, Alexandre and Tatiana. “My 30s were my best years,” she reflects. “I was still young but felt grown up, lived an adventurous life, raised my two children, and ran a business. The 40s were harder.” Von Furstenberg also details a love life that involved men like Richard Gere, Alain Elkann, and Mark Peploe, and admits how long it took for her to realize that now-husband Barry Diller, whom she met when she was 28 and he was 33, was her soulmate. She outlines her many positive contributions to the fashion industry, but admirably doesn’t sugarcoat business missteps like her efforts in beauty licensing. This is a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of the fashion world’s most enduring stars that will fascinate fashionistas and fans of strong, creative women. Agent: Andrew Wylie, Wylie Agency. (Nov.)
Anna Wintour
“Diane’s book evokes everything she has lived through. It is honest, direct and fascinating — just like the author herself!”
Gloria Steinem
“In this era when girls are made to think it’s better to be a princess than a person, Diane von Furstenberg’s The Woman I Wanted to Be is just the reverse. I thank her for honesty, spirit, encouragement to be one’s own self in public and professional life, and a memoir that covers more human experience than most novels. Pick it up — you won’t put it down.”
Sheryl Sandberg
“Diane von Furstenberg’s story offers a behind-the-scenes look into the ups and downs of building a global business, creating an enduring brand, and finding true love. By sharing the path that enabled her to become the woman she wanted to be, Diane shows all of us how to live a life of focus and passion.”
Kate Moss
“Diane is the original modern princess who created the iconic wrap dress and has influenced fashion everywhere with her talent, lifestyle, elegance and beauty. Every girl will love reading her book.”
Sarah Jessica Parker
“It has been a gift to read this book, and a true privilege to learn and discover that much more about DVF. What a thrill to be given an opportunity to peek even further into her life.”
Library Journal
10/15/2013
Fashion maven for decades and purveyor of the famous wrap dress, Von Furstenberg is someone lots of women have wanted to be. Here she discusses her childhood in Brussels, her life jet-setting around, and more.
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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781451651546
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster
  • Publication date: 10/28/2014
  • Pages: 256
  • Sales rank: 75007

Meet the Author

Diane von Furstenberg entered the fashion world in 1972 and two years later introduced her famous wrap dress. Her luxury fashion brand, DVF, is now available in more than fifty-five countries all over the world. Codirector of the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, she is an active philanthropist and supporter of emerging female leaders and social entrepreneurs. She is the author of Diane: A Signature Life.

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