Diane von Furstenberg “I could live a man’s life in a woman’s body”

Last week Zalando and Diane von Furstenberg celebrated the beginning of an exclusive partnership, making Zalando the only retailer in Europe to purchase the iconic brand. For the launch, the 78-year-old icon and designer Diane von Furstenberg traveled to Berlin to speak about fashion and confidence at an intimate event at Reethaus.

“You Are the Woman Across the Room”

Diane von Furstenberg is not just a designer; she is a woman who actively shaped her career, reinventing herself while staying true to her values throughout different decades. “I could live a man’s life in a woman’s body,” she says with a laugh. In a conversation with the author and director Alexandra Bondi de Antoni, she speaks about her journey – from debuting her brand at market week in New York and receiving support from the legendary Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland, to becoming a conduit for women herself. She reminded the audience of the strength that each one carries within themselves. Regarding one of her famous quotes from her memoir: “What I meant by the woman across the room [quote] is, she looks so secure, she looks so poised but the truth is she looks at you and she thinks you are secure – so it’s my way of saying, each one of us is the woman across the room [to the other]”. Learn more about Diane’s tips on how to be a woman in charge in Zalando’s latest campaign. 

The confidence in herself and in women, in particular, shapes the brand to this day. Diane explains her design philosophy: “For me, it’s always the woman before the fashion. I think about the woman first – then about the design.” She envisions a future where she continues creating timeless and high-quality pieces that inspire a new generation of women to embrace their own confidence and help them express their individuality. The shared values and passion for Diane’s message also lie at the core of the partnership with Zalando. Diane explains: “It was important to find partners that were digital, to support my product and narrative. Zalando is a remarkable company that is only 16 years old, but they do everything so well. There’s so much we can do together.” Talking further about the brand’s future, she divulged that “It was clear to me that we have so much to give, and once we really get going, we can make history.”

There is Power in Kindness

True leadership is not just about confidence; it’s also about compassion. “You have so much power by helping others,” she emphasizes, and goes on to share a story about how every day she connects two people from her network who don’t know each other yet but could be of meaning to each other, thus providing insight into how she practices kindness and the power of community in her everyday life

The event featured a recreation of Diane’s office in New York with pieces from her personal archives, such as family pictures and her time at Studio 54, vintage DVF styles, and memorabilia like a letter from the iconic Vogue editor-in-chief Diana Vreeland. The exhibition, followed by a conversation with Alexandra Bondi de Antoni was attended by journalists from publications across Europe, alongside renowned Berlin creatives such as florist Lilo Klinkenberg, stylist Jeanna Krichel, and musical support from DJ Rhina Love. The guests were served canapés inspired by Diane’s time in New York and visit to Berlin, such as Spree-tinis – merging Spreewald gherkins with flavors of a Martini – or a new interpretation of the New York cheesecake. Get a glimpse into the event and what people wore over on TikTok.

In closing, she shared a powerful message with the audience: “We live in a very chaotic world so more than ever it is important to be true to ourselves, to be honest and to be kind.” Her words serve as a reminder that, in challenging times, it is more important than ever to believe in the good. When asked whether fashion is still relevant in today’s crazy world, she answered with coolness: “Well, we all have to wear clothes, and they help you to be in the mood for who you want to be. But you have to buy good clothes so that they don’t go out of style.”

With this vision and the unique energy she exudes, Diane von Furstenberg has once again proven why she is a true icon. Her collaboration with Zalando is a movement that encourages women to feel strong, confident, and beautiful. True to the spirit of DVF: “Life is an adventure, and everyone is a novel.”

Discover the latest DVF collection on Zalando here.