Diane von Furstenberg in an ad campaign circa 1972. Photo: Roger Prigent
This past weekend at Moscow's
Manezh Exhibition Hall, designer
Diane von Furstenberg was feted for her colorful life and career.
"Journey of Dress," an exhibition that was curated by her good friend
André Leon Talley, spans 35 years and touches on everything from her first famed garment to disco days at Studio 54 to her current
CFDA presidency.
In honor of the occasion, we caught up with the designer to talk art, fashion and her emotional connection to Russia.
StyleList: How did this exhibition come about?
Diane von Furstenberg: I have had two stores in Moscow for awhile and I actually haven't been over there to do PR and things like that. I knew this was going to happen in the fall. Over the summer I was with
Natalia Vodianova and I said, 'Will you be there for me and come to Russia?'
She said, 'Of course, but what are you going to do?' I said, 'I'm going to do a fashion show and speak at the school of journalism.' You know, the usual things that I do. And she told me, 'But you know in Russia, people would love to know your history, your Warhols and Studio 54 and all of that.' So this is how it all happened.
SL: What can people expect?
DVF: It's going to be held in a huge state museum in Red Square with all of the original art. It's 6,000 square feet. Fashion divided by art. The dresses range from 1976 to 2007. Everything will be broken into four vignettes: Luxe, Studio 54, American Dream, and Empowerment (or Working Girl). So there will be all the fashion then artwork by Francesco Clemente, Andy Warhol...
SL: Where do keep your famous wrap dresses?
DVF: I have a huge archive in my house in Connecticut.
SL: Do you ever wear the original ones?
DVF: I personally, well you know, I'm 30 years older so...
SL: Will this become a traveling exhibition?
DVF: I think it will be. There has been interest in it from people in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Washington D.C. It all happened quite naturally, but I've never presented it in this way. My father was born in Russia back in 1929, so I'm doing this 80 years later. It's very emotional.
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Diane Von Furstenberg Exhibition in Moscow
"Journey of a Dress," a 35-year retrospective honoring Diane von Furstenberg's life in fashion is currently on display at Moscow's Manezh Exhibition Hall. In honor of the exhibition, the designer provided StyleList with photos of some of the 140 pieces on display. With contributions by Francesco Scavullo, Andy Warhol, and others, this is one show we can't wait to come stateside.
Roger Prigent
DVF Ad Campaign, 1972
Roger Prigent
DVF Portrait
Francesco Scavullo
DVF Portrait, 1974
Andy Warhol
Cover of Newsweek Magazine, 1976
Francesco Scavullo
DVF Portrait working in studio, 1976
Bert Glinn
Cover of Interview Magazine, 1976
Ara Gallant
DVF at Studio 54, 1978
Ron Galella
Cover of Interview Magazine, 1982
Interview Magazine
DVF Liquid Assets Collection Ad Campaign, 1982
Courtesy DVF
DVF Portrait, 1984
Andy Warhol
