Diane von Furstenberg Shares Her Best Life Lessons Ahead of Her Documentary's Release: 'No Secrets' (Exclusive)

• The incredible life and career of designer Diane von Furstenberg is explored in a new documentary Diane von Furstenberg: The leading ladyout on Hulu on June 25th.
• The fashion industry legend reflects on everything from her own “miracle” birth to the birth of her iconic wrap dress to how she stays grounded.
• “It’s so important to be true to yourself, because if you’re true to yourself, you’re free,” von Furstenberg tells PEOPLE in a powerful, wide-ranging session.

Diane von Furstenberg looks back on her life’s journey in a new documentary.

IN Diane von Furstenberg: The leading ladythe fashion icon and cultural star talks about her journey, from the moment her Holocaust survivor mother Lilana Haflin gave birth to her 18 months after her liberation from Auschwitz (a “miracle”) to her current philanthropic work.

She also reflects on her wrap dress, 50 years after the iconic design catapulted her name into the limelight.

“When I made that little dress, I didn’t know it would become a social phenomenon,” she says, adding, “[But], I think the wrap dress is successful because it’s about body language. It is about honoring the woman and creation [her] feel confident.”

Diane von Furstenberg talks about her 50-year career in first trailer for her documentary (Exclusive)

The film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 5, was directed by Oscar 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. It debuts June 25 on Hulu in the US and Disney+ overseas.

“What is a day in my life?” the designer, 77, asks during an interview with PEOPLE a month before the documentary’s release. Then he replies, “I have no idea.”

However, during the wide-ranging conversation, von Furstenberg shares some lessons learned that help her stay grounded.

Diane von Furstenberg attends the 23rd Annual Vital Voices Global Festival on May 30, 2024.

Tasos Katopodis/Getty

For starters, practice gratitude.

“My first gratitude every day is that my mother survived the Holocaust,” says von Furstenberg. “Surviving, she has a dynasty of seven on my side and five on my brother’s side. [No one] she would have been there except she had survived. So [that] gratitude has to do with respecting life,” she explains.

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von Furstenberg, who was often seen walking the streets of New York in the 1970s with a suitcase full of samples of her eponymous label in hand, is still on the move.

Although it looks a little different these days. “I walked in Scotland today [six miles]: I took a long walk this morning and this afternoon. I feel blessed to be able to enjoy nature. I love nature more than anything because it reminds you how small you are and how perfect it is,” says the author.

Diane von Furstenberg: The leading lady.

courtesy of Hulu

von Furstenberg also keeps a diary, the contents of which are “boring”, she insists.

“I find it incredibly helpful because I need that support,” says the fashion icon and philanthropist. “It doesn’t matter what you write, I never read it. But it is communication with oneself. It is very important to be true to yourself, because if you are true to yourself, you are free.”

Diane von Furstenberg debuts documentary at Tribeca Film Festival: ‘If it’s inspiring, it’s worth it’

In the end, a business woman tries to help someone else every day.

“I share my wisdom, knowledge, experiences and connections to help women be who they want to be,” she says of how she spends her days now.

“Every morning I try to introduce one person to a person they would never meet. You don’t have to speak, you can just write a thoughtful email and you can make a difference,” adds the philanthropist, whose DVF Awards honor women who create change.

At 77, von Furstenberg says he is “in the winter of my life.” But with a list that includes writing more books, traveling and continuing her work with Vital Voices, the DVF co-president is still busy.

First Look: Diane von Furstenberg’s documentary explores the designer’s pioneering 50-year career

Her joie de vivre, she claims, is easy to achieve.

“I have no secrets,” she says. “Just: every day, all the time, live as fully and honestly as you can.”

Diane von Furstenberg at the 2023 CFDA Fashion Awards November 6, 2023

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

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To watch Diane von Furstenberg: Leading Woman, Sutter Road Picture Company and a Particle Projects/Fabiola Beracasa Beckman Media production, on Hulu June 25.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education