The Woman I Wanted to Be

Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) is a woman to admire. She credits her mother for her elegance and for training her to be independent. She credits her father for his unconditional love. Then there is that wrap dress she created, which a woman of any shape or size can wear confidently and stylishly. DVF tells the story of how she became the woman she wanted to be. She led a fabulous life, good schools and travel, mingling with the rich and famous and people of accomplishment in the arts. She talks about love and it's importance in an unabashed way. "I have tried not to lie my whole life", she writes, and I believe her. She was introduced into the Jet Set life, married a prince and danced and designed her way to the DVF empire which now has stores world wide. There were setbacks, both financial and health, but she is still standing and smiling. The book was a blast from the past for me, moving through six decades and inspiring all along the way. I ordered a wrap dress which I can't wait to receive and I look forward to what she does next!

DVF integrated her life very well and is quite a remarkable woman, beginning as a child of a concentration camp survivor, living a priviledged childhood, marrying into royalty, and the ups and downs of her goal of self-sufficiency. I enjoy her vision and her philosophies. There is so much more about her life, but I don't want to spoil the read for those who are fascinated by this woman and her brand. I had troubles with the continuity of the book relative to time, as chronology was not the goal of this book. Overall, it was a good read with bonus photographs.

I love this biography! Diane von Furstenberg is such an intelligent, educated, and passionate woman. It was so interesting to read her life story and to get to know the woman behind the brand. I also enjoyed her life lessons along the way, especially when things went wrong. She never shied away from taking ownership for some of her mistakes. No matter what problems she encountered in her path, she refused to be a victim or to give up. She's an inspiration, and I learned a lot from her story.

Ever since I was, oh, maybe twelve, I've been in love with the wrap dress, made famous by my idol, Diane von Furstenberg. So when I bought her autobiography, I couldn't wait to hear her story. In fact, I chose her book as the first to grace my new Kindle. But in the end I had to admit that, as much as I adore her work with fabric, I didn't love the book nearly as much. It is indeed entertaining in a breezy sort of way, but I was hoping to see more of her soul--more angst. I'm still glad I read the book, however, and will continue to be a fan. As for her wrap dresses, I still gasp when I come across one on the racks.

This book is written as if DVF were sitting next to you, revealing her life experiences of positive energy, determination, and persistence. Diane von Furstenberg is a dynamic woman and designer. The wrap dress continues to ignite the power in all women who desire to be elegant, delight in the comfort, and are inspired by art. I both adore and admire DVF, who has been an inspiration to women around the globe. She carries herself with sophistication, yet will genuinely reach to acknowledge commoners. I had the privilege of meeting this wonderful woman (Tour Guide) who provided time to be grateful for her surroundings and the people who assisted. Diane von Furstenberg was incredibly considerate and lives according to her words, "Love is Life." I would highly recommend reading The Woman I Wanted to Be to every woman who desires to become her best. As for the men, this book is an opportunity to understand the female gender.

In her authentic true self voice, DVF shares her incredible journey, highs and perhaps unsuspecting lows. She is living proof that age has no limits. She is the woman I want to be and tells her inspiring story in a way that made me feel we were talking over coffee or champagne. Reading on Kindle, I yearned for photos, and Google searched names, faces and places along the way. Then to my delight there were many more images at the end of the book. It was an interactive experience. I'm a little sad it's over. Even if a woman isn't that interested in DVFs incredible story, every woman should read the chapter on Beauty. It should be taught in Women's Studies education programs around the world. Diane Von Furstenberg is the voice of the 21st century on aging, shining the light on living life to its fullest. Shine on DVF, shine on!

The little dress that started it all. The wrap dress that made Diane Furstenberg a household name. Diane von Furstenberg has written the tome of her life. She has done it her way, lived her life, but also written her book in a manner that exemplifies her independence. We meet not only the woman, her family, friends and work colleagues, we get to see how her philosophies in life impact her, and what is important to her. 'The Woman I Am', essays in three parts, Roots, Love, Beauty, Diane gives us her story. She pays homage to her mother, a survivor of the Concentration Camps, her strength and beauty,and how that affected both of them. She was a courageous woman, and Diane exemplifies her life in her actions. Diane was a child of privilege. Her young days as a socialite, living in Europe, looking for her life's passion, her marriage to Egon Von Furstenberg, the births of her children, they are the most important people in her world. Onto the creation of her wrap dress that opened her world to design, art and business. The second part of her book is dedicated to 'The Business of Fashion', which encompasses the American Dream, the Comeback Kid and the New Era. She has built and rebuilt her business several times, from clothing to beauty, to boutiques. She symbolized the new generation of independent women. She always wanted to pay her own bills, purchased her own homes, Cloudland in Conn., apartments, travel. She overcame cancer, a horrific car accident, building her own brand with her children as part of her business. She discusses her marriage to Barry Diller and some of her romances. Diane is a nice woman, she does not yell and shout, no gossiping stories about anyone. Her success was built by her, she remains the strong, independent woman she has always wanted to be. This was a revealing look at Diane von Furstenberg by Diane von Furstenberg. Her life on the pedestal, her philosophy of empowering others, especially other women. Her trials and tribulations, she has overcome a great deal, but she has also received a great deal. Her life has been good, and she did it her way. Recommended. prisrob 11-02-14

I didn't expect to be so moved by DVF's story. I felt a kinship with her and the way she lives and works. My wish is to meet this very special woman one day and I intend to communicate with her soon. I, too, am an artist well known in my field of synagogue art so I understand the creative personality, it's wonderful benefits and nasty pitfalls and have been through them all albeit on a much smaller scale than DVF. I also have recently had a bout with throat cancer and am now recuperating from the same type of treatment. Also am approaching my recovery with holistic means and felt a real connection with DVF when I read about her experience. What an exceptional person she is and I have already been greatly inspired by her concern for women to try to figure out exactly who they are and where they fit into this wide wide world of ours. I highly recommend her book.

Came earlier than told...such a great gesture..loved it

I had higher expectations from this book. Her life was certainly phenomenal but there was something in the way it is written that was just not appealing nor intriguing to me. Average book overall.

Diane von Furstenberg is just fascinating !What a great book!

Perfect book. Was what I needed to read. Motivated and usefull. It's great to know other people lifes and how they face them.

Súper buen libro, Su vida me parece cosa de película, mi parte favorita es la última donde habla del negocio de la moda, creo que se pueden tomar notas importantes.