Fashion
7 DVF Quotes For Any Situation Life Throws At You
When a person of fame or great success writes an autobiography, the result is often a tale that boasts of or diminishes their achievement, and preaches to the reader of what they must do to emulate said accomplishments. Diane Von Furstenberg's autobiography, The Woman I Wanted To Be, somehow does neither, instead providing an honest an introspective look into the labyrinthine history behind one of the most iconic female entrepreneurs in fashion.
Written in elegant yet straightforward prose, the autobiography has moments of appearing like the words of a society column, with its plethora of glamorous names and events, but maintains focus on Von Furstenberg's primary concerns: the love she had for several men, her love for her family and children, and her dedication to her business. One of the biggest lessons to come out of Von Furstenberg's autobiography regards reacting to (and accepting) life's many surprises. The designer candidly speaks of missteps and periods of her life which guided her away from what she truly wanted out of her life, and how she dealt with each situation, with grace and aplomb. Here are some of her most poignant quotes about life, love, fashion, and overcoming the odd stumbling block.
The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane Von Furstenberg, $9, Amazon
ON HER ICONIC WRAP DRESS...
"I was projecting what I was selling — ease and confidence. I was becoming one with the dresses and what they stood for."
ON BEING A STAR OF STUDIO 54...
"The idea of being able to go into Studio 54 alone is what thrilled me the most: again, a man's life in a woman's body."
ON MAINTAINING A POSITIVE ATTITUDE WHEN THINGS GO WRONG...
"I'm often asked what was the worst thing that ever happened to me, what were my biggest challenges. I find it difficult to answer because I have this habit I inherited from my mother that somehow transforms what's bad into something good, so in the end, I don't remember what was bad...How could you possibly better yourself if you didn't face your challenges up front or if you laid your problems off on someone or something else and didn't learn from them?"
ON BEING A GRANDPARENT...
"The greatest thing about becoming a grandparent is watching your children become parents. For the first time you realize that they actually heard the things you told them throughout their childhoods."
ON FALLING (AND BEING) IN LOVE...
"I have loved a lot and been in love many, many times. Perhaps I've been in love so often because I asked little in return or maybe because I was just in love with being in love. For me, falling in love wasn't a need — it was an adventure."
The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane Von Furstenberg, $9, Amazon
ON THE TRUE DEFINITION OF BEAUTY...
"My definition of beauty is strength and personality. Strength is captivating: the women I've seen in India working the fields in their orange saris, their arms covered with colorful glass bangles; the women working construction in Indonesia, carrying heavy bricks on their heads; the women carrying their children to bush hospitals in Africa. The dignity of these women with their innate elegance is a true inspiration of beauty."
AND ON THE VALUE OF HARD WORK
"When young people eager to start their own lives and careers ask me for advice I smile and always say: 'Passion and persistence are what matter. Dreams are achievable and you can make your fantasy come true, but there are no shortcuts. Nothing happens without hard work.' "
The Woman I Wanted to Be by Diane Von Furstenberg, $9, Amazon
Images: Getty Images
