Tale Of A Timeless Classic

Diane von Furstenberg, the creator of the wrap dress, was recently in Beijing for the launch of the Chinese version of her autobiography, The Woman I Wanted To Be, which was first published in English in 2014. Sun Yuanqing reports.

In the history of fashion, there are few outfits that are as timeless as the wrap dress. With its soft jersey fabric, a curving silhouette and an adjustable belt, this dress has transcended classes, generations and occasions.

Diane von Furstenberg, the creator of the wrap dress, was recently in Beijing for the launch of the Chinese version of her autobiography, The Woman I Wanted To Be, which was first published in English in 2014.

In this book, she tells the story of her family, her career and her life.

"I have never been to therapy, but I always say that writing this book was like therapy because I really put everything into it," the 70-year-old says.

"For me, I was writing at a time when I felt like I had learned some things, and I was at a point when I wanted to share what I had learned. So it is about legacy. It is about lessons I want my granddaughters and women at all stages of their lives to take away."

Von Furstenberg has a long history with China.

She first visited in 1990, and she also opened the exhibition Journey of a Dress at Pace Gallery in Beijing in 2008.

The designer has many friends in China, like publisher Hong Huang and artist Li Songsong.

This time, she was with her longtime friend, Chinese-American businesswoman Wendi Deng, who accompanied her during her trip to Beijing.

"I have always loved China and I have always found the strength of Chinese women to be so inspiring ... As I get to know more Chinese women, I realize that no matter how strong and successful they are, they still look for reassurance when it comes to their femininity. And I can relate to that - the mix of strength and vulnerability," she says.

"That is really why I wrote the book because I think anyone with a voice should use it and her story to help others, which is why I am so happy to share this book with the women of China."

Von Furstenberg is also an enthusiastic mentor to women in general.

She is on the board of Vital Voices, a nongovernmental organization that supports female leaders and entrepreneurs, empowering women through philanthropy and mentorship.

Born to Jewish parents in Belgium in 1946, Von Furstenberg married German Prince Egon von Furstenberg in 1969, with whom she had two children, Alexander and Tatiana.

The couple divorced in 1972. And in 2001, Von Furstenberg married her longtime partner Barry Diller, an American media mogul.

She broke into the fashion world in the 1970s with her signature wrap dress design.

The dress sold by the millions and became a symbol of independence for generations of women.

However, she says that when she designed the wrap dress, she had no idea it would become such a phenomenon.

"I just wanted to create a simple dress that women could wear anywhere. And it has amazed me, because it continues to evolve with the women who wear it - four generations, now," she says.

"The wrap dress is the only dress in the Western world that has lasted that long ... but of course that is not the case in China, where you have the qipao."

After a hiatus from fashion, Von Furstenberg reintroduced her brand in 1997, repositioning it as a global luxury-lifestyle brand that offers everything from ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes to leather goods and fine jewelry.

Headquartered in New York City, the brand now has 1,500 points of sale in more than 55 countries.

With designer Jonathan Saunders at the creative helm, the brand is now looking to a new era, she says.

"He is really leading the brand. He has reimagined the wrap dress in a way that is modern and fresh, but also true to its original spirit. So that has been fun to watch," Von Furstenberg says.

"The goal is that Jonathan will continue to build on the emotional connection that the brand has always had with women.

"I have every confidence in Jonathan to lead the brand as I focus more on philanthropy and mentorship in China and beyond.

"The brand has always been and will continue to be about giving women what they need, to be the women they want to be."

Von Furstenberg is also president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, a not-for-profit trade association of American designers, supporting talent in the industry.

Asked about her advice to young designers in China, she says the most important thing is to know who you are and to go for it.

"That is the only thing that can make you totally original. Fashion is so global now that if you can do that you will find your audience and find your place."

Contact the writer at sunyuanqing@chinadaily.com.cn

Diane von Furstenberg (second right), the creator of the wrap dress, with Chinese-American businesswoman Wendi Deng (first right) and Chinese TV presenter Yang Lan (second left) in Beijing for the launch of the Chinese version of her autobiography, The Woman I Wanted To Be.Photos Provided To China Daily