Fifty years after Diane von Furstenberg created the wrap dress, the cultural star’s presence in the fashion industry is still as palpable today.
To celebrate the milestone anniversary of her creation, von Furstenberg, who is now co-chairman of her namesake brand, recently launched a capsule collection featuring the silhouette in a new crossword print. She also designed limited-edition sunglasses with Italian eyewear brand LGR, and in addition, launched a stunning 200-piece range with Target that ranged from apparel and accessories to home decor, including custom-made furniture, which naturally sold out.
As she reflected on the history of the work – and on the eve of the premiere of her documentary, Diane von Furstenberg: The leading ladyduring a recent conversation with PEOPLE, the legendary designer shared that when she first came up with the garment, she had no idea it would have such a lasting impact.
“When I made that little dress, I didn’t know that it would be a social phenomenon and that people would be buying it 50 years later,” she says of her famous design.
“I made this dress, but actually the dress made me. It just happened. I owe her as much as she owes me,” continued the 77-year-old author and philanthropist.
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Diane Von Furstenberg at the premiere of “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman In Charge” in London on June 20.
Tim P. Whitby/Getty
Von Furstenberg added that for her, the dress was a “vehicle” to honor women. “I care about [her]”, says von Furstenberg.
Of its long-standing popularity, she surmises: “I think it’s successful because it makes a woman confident.”
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Von Furstenberg, who says she sees her cape on women when she’s out and about “all the time,” says her best style tip is to “be yourself.”
She continues, “Don’t try to be someone you’re not. Embrace your imperfections. If you do, you’re turning them into assets. I can’t say it enough: there’s nothing better than that.”
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In the documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 5 and debuted on Hulu in the US and Disney+ overseas on June 25, von Furstenberg can be seen gracefully climbing into her sink to get a close-up shot of her skin as hydrates the bare face.
It’s a striking moment that sums up her view of beauty and aging.
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“I never had my hair or makeup done [the documentary]”, explains von Furstenberg.
“The point is: I think people are too afraid of aging. But aging is a good thing. Aging proves that you have already lived. I never thought I would reach my age. I used to think I would die by the time I was 30 because I had accomplished so much by the time I was 28. That’s why I say, instead of asking, ‘How old are you?’ you should ask, ‘How long have you lived?’ And then, all of a sudden, respond with pride.”
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Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Diane von Furstenberg and Trish Dalton at the London premiere of “Diane Von Furstenberg: Woman In Charge” on June 20.
Kate Green/Getty
Diane von Furstenberg talks about her 50-year career in first trailer for her documentary (Exclusive)
Diane von Furstenberg: The leading lady directed by Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton and produced by Fabiola Beracasa Beckman, Tracy Aftergood and Sean Stuart, as well as Obaid-Chinoy and Dalton.
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Watch the movie, Sutter Road Picture Company and a Particle Projects/Fabiola Beracasa Beckman Media production, now on Hulu.
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Source: HIS Education