All Segments
Diane Von Fürstenberg, Founder & Chairman, DVF
25 segments available
“People say I made the dress. Yes, I made the dress, but really, the dress made me. Thanks to this dress, I became more confident. I was sharing my confidence, I was selling my confidence,” Diane Von Fürstenberg, founder of fashion line DVF, told students at her View From The Top event. Her iconic wrap dress became the look for working women in the 1970’s and continues to make a statement. Born in Brussels and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, Von Fürstenberg believes in “never being the victim.” Today, Von Fürstenberg supports and awards women entrepreneurs around the world. “When you are successful, two things happen,” she told the audience. “One is that you can pay your bills and the second is that you have a voice. And once that happens, it’s a gift and a privilege to use your voice for those who don’t have a voice.” Von Fürstenberg was interviewed by Tadia James, MBA ’19.
Segments Timeline
The Journey Begins
Diane Von Fürstenberg reflects on her early career, emphasizing the importance of being open and curious. She shares her experience of starting as an apprentice in a factory, highlighting that she didn't initially aspire to be a fashion designer. Instead, she focused on the kind of woman she wanted to become, aiming for independence and success.
"hello hello I know I heard that the last time that you were here on campus that you said that if you had how to Stanford MBA you would rule the world I I wish I could have done in well I think that to..."
Defining Independence
Von Fürstenberg discusses her desire for financial independence and the challenges she faced as a young woman in the fashion industry. She emphasizes the importance of not relying on her father or husband for support, which ultimately impacted her marriage. This segment highlights her determination to carve her own path.
"and you rule the world do you think I should drop out well it doesn't look like she's nervous right so DVF you started your career very early on in working as an apprentice in a factory can you tell u..."
The Iconic Wrap Dress
Diane shares the story behind her famous wrap dress, discussing how it became a staple for working women. She reflects on the significance of product-market fit and how her designs resonated with the needs of women at the time, showcasing her understanding of the fashion landscape.
"was I mean when I went through when I met this Italian man and he invited me to come and to you know do an internship well he had a little crush on me but and when he invited me to go over and to watc..."
From Factory to Fame
In this segment, Von Fürstenberg recounts her experiences in Italy, learning about fabric and design. She describes how her time in a printing factory and her interactions with skilled artisans shaped her understanding of the fashion industry, leading to her innovative designs.
"the audience may not know at that time was that you were also a princess and not sleeping beauty princess but like a literal princess when I married a prince you married a prince but you continued wor..."
The Birth of a Fashion Revolution
Diane discusses the evolution of jersey fabric and its role in her designs. She explains how the cultural shift towards casual wear, influenced by icons like Brigitte Bardot, allowed her to introduce the wrap dress, which became a symbol of empowerment for women.
"gears a little bit and talk about your business when you started your career you created a very famous red dress and here at the GSB we talked a lot about product market fit about creating products th..."
A Personal Journey
Von Fürstenberg shares her personal story of love and pregnancy while navigating her burgeoning career. She reflects on the societal pressures she faced and her determination to maintain her independence, illustrating the intersection of her personal and professional life.
"then you put it in my page and then you talk to the colorist and Italy at the end of after the war was very industrial Italian Italy was just beginning and so there were these very very small factorie..."
The Call to New York
Diane recounts her trip to New York, where she was exposed to a vibrant fashion scene. This experience inspired her to create samples and pursue her dreams in America, marking a pivotal moment in her journey as a designer.
"time t-shirts nobody would wear t-shirts except men's as underwear and maybe sailors but nobody else watches you know nobody else what he should until there was a very famous movie star called Brigitt..."
Vision and Determination
In this segment, Von Fürstenberg describes her vision for her fashion line after returning to Italy. She details her commitment to working late nights to create samples, showcasing her relentless drive and ambition to succeed in the competitive fashion industry.
"to visit my boyfriend my boyfriend so so I went I went to New York to see my boyfriend the prince was very good-looking very handsome he had everything and you could imagine all the girls in New York ..."
Navigating Challenges
Diane shares the complexities of her engagement and impending marriage while managing her career. She reflects on the challenges of balancing personal life with professional aspirations, emphasizing her commitment to her independence and success.
"factory and with this Italian man you know who's driving the yellow Lamborghini and we go from factory to factory and one day he drops me in Milan and I'm feeling so dizzy because I think it's a Lambo..."
Confidence Through Fashion
Diane emphasizes the transformative power of her wrap dress, stating, 'Yes, I made the dress, but really, the dress made me.' She discusses how the dress not only boosted her confidence but also allowed her to empower other women, reflecting on the cultural significance of fashion during the women's liberation movement.
"pregnant again and in between back and forth to go to Italy and I had miserable little orders 15 pieces 55 pieces and the men Italian men we said what are you crazy the factory as it please please ple..."
Naming the Dress: A Bold Statement
Diane explains the inspiration behind naming her first dress 'Angela' after Angela Davis, highlighting the connection between fashion and social movements. She reflects on the strong women of her time, including Gloria Steinem, and how their influence shaped her identity as a designer and feminist.
"lot and and so I and then I was living this American dream and I read that the dress but what I'm trying to say is that people say I made the dress yes I made the dress but really the dress made me be..."
Feminism in Fashion
In this segment, Diane discusses her decision to embrace feminism, even trading her title of princess for the identity of a feminist. She reflects on the changing tides of feminism in fashion and the importance of women's empowerment in the industry.
"named your first dress Angela after the prejudice yeah you know why I mean where you read that no there was there was a dress that had stripes and I mean it wasn't a very good reason why I called the ..."
The Evolution of Women's Rights
Diane compares her experiences during the women's liberation movement of the 1970s to the current #MeToo movement. She discusses the ongoing challenges women face in the workplace and the importance of raising sons to respect women, emphasizing the need for societal change.
"right so you were in missed or misses you were miss and I actually traded my title of Princess the BM is because I'm a FEMINIST yes yes well it's it's kind of in fashion to be a feminist again it went..."
Protecting Young Women in Fashion
As the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Diane addresses the importance of protecting young women in the fashion industry. She discusses the measures being taken to ensure their safety and well-being, highlighting the need for a supportive environment in a challenging industry.
"thing and and as women and as mothers I think that it's our responsibility to raise our sons so that they respect women but it's it's it's so much ingrained in society you know that but eventually it'..."
Navigating the Fashion Industry
In her role as president of the CFDA, Diane discusses the unique challenges young women face in the fashion industry, including harassment and power dynamics. She stresses the importance of creating rules to protect these women and the need for solidarity among women in the industry. This segment sheds light on the ongoing struggles women encounter despite their significant consumer power.
"it inside themselves I think it's an interesting concept to talk about the privilege that may be associated with some women in their careers as relates to not having to deal with that level of harassm..."
The DVF Awards: Celebrating Women's Strength
Diane shares the origin and significance of the DVF Awards, created to honor women who demonstrate strength, courage, and leadership. Inspired by her mother, a Holocaust survivor, Diane emphasizes the importance of recognizing and rewarding women's contributions, especially those who may not be well-known. This segment highlights the impact of the awards and the community built over the years.
"the same things that they are in other industries and why do you think that is because we're stronger you know listen women have to stick together but the first thing is you know they have to feel str..."
Using Your Voice for Change
Diane discusses the dual benefits of success: financial independence and the power of having a voice. She reflects on her life experiences and the importance of sharing knowledge and supporting those without a voice. This segment underscores the responsibility that comes with success and the privilege of using one's voice to advocate for others.
"wonderful and then you create a family over ten years and then you see what they good and usually they got other prizes after and then you get to know them and you know I think that when is most impor..."
Designing Your Life: The Four Pillars
Diane introduces her concept of 'designing your life' through four essential pillars: character, body, heart, and purpose. She emphasizes the importance of self-relationship, physical health, emotional intelligence, and finding one's purpose in work. This segment provides a framework for personal development and the significance of being human in a rapidly changing world.
"and I know your own study business and you're all super smart and everything else and so but my what I would like to be able to tell people is that women mostly and this is very much of a woman's audi..."
Finding Purpose Through Work
Von Fürstenberg shares her insights on the role of purpose in one's work and identity. She explains how work can be a form of independence and self-expression, and how aesthetics play a part in shaping one's identity in society.
"one two three four pillar number four is purpose and purposes work is therefore work is your independence your identity it's your expression it's who you are in society so I know you're worrying a lot..."
The Importance of Rituals
In this segment, Diane reflects on the everyday rituals that shape our lives, from the significance of our beds to the rituals surrounding meals. She emphasizes how these seemingly mundane practices contribute to our overall well-being and design of life.
"number seven was rituals we do things every day that we don't even think about like many years ago I did three coffee table books they were photo book photography books and one was called a bed the ba..."
Lessons from My Mother's Resilience
Diane shares a poignant story about her mother, a Holocaust survivor, and the lessons she imparted about strength and resilience. She highlights her mother's refusal to be a victim and how this shaped Diane's own outlook on life.
"design your life and does that sound interesting to you why what I mean I don't know so I mean I said to I mean I said it to somebody and say well that's very generic I say yeah it's generic but what ..."
Survival and the Gift of Life
In this emotional segment, Diane recounts her mother's harrowing experiences during the Holocaust and her determination to survive. She reflects on how her mother's survival instilled in her a sense of purpose and the importance of living life fully.
"be all right so in order to describe my mother imagine yourself in 1944 in Belgium occupied Belgium by German this 22 year old girl gets arrested deported and sent to labor camps in Auschwitz it was b..."
The Legacy of a Strong Mother
Diane discusses the profound impact her mother had on her life, instilling values of courage and independence. She shares how her mother's tough love and high expectations shaped her into the confident woman she is today.
"pounds and and so they made her feel a questionnaire the only reason I know that is because I the Holocaust Museum who I have that I have did a huge research on both my parents and sent me all this in..."
Confidence and Self-Expression
In a lightning round, Diane shares personal insights about confidence, anger, and her superpower of connecting people. She emphasizes the importance of self-relationship and how it influences her interactions with others.
"you are my torch of freedom so I was raised with a lot of risk you know I was supposed to be the total freedom at the age of one I had to speak I had to speak in public you know my birthday I mean I a..."
The Most Important Relationship
Diane concludes with a powerful reminder that the most important relationship one can have is with oneself. She reiterates the significance of self-love and confidence as foundational elements for success and fulfillment in life.
"this and that and that for me you know but when you ever very strong mothers it's you know you have to wait until she's gone for you to accept it you know so we're gonna do a quick lightning round we ..."