Diane von Furstenberg Talks About Life, Success & Female Empowerment In A Conversation About Her New Book “Own It: The Secret To Life”

Between failure, success, confidence and purpose, life is an ever-changing landscape in which what we all must do is “own it.” In an exclusive press conference with Her Campus Media‘s co-founder Windsor Hanger Western on Tuesday, fashion designer, author and philanthropist Diane von Furstenberg talked about fashion, women empowerment and life—which are all subjects in her newly released book Own It: The Secret to Life. 

Von Furstenberg’s famous wrap dress has made her a fashion icon. While talking about her fashion career, von Furstenberg said that her continued influence, muse and the person she dresses with her designs is the “woman in charge.” The designer said that she did not always have a specific profession or vocation she pursued, but she has always been in touch with the kind of life she wanted to live. Von Furstenberg said, “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, but I knew the kind of woman I wanted to be. I wanted to be a woman in charge.” 

Now associated with the enormous brand DVF, von Furstenberg has become a household name in fashion. Throughout her many creations, ventures and accomplishments, von Furstenberg said she prides herself on women empowerment: “I would like to be remembered in fashion history as having created a dress that makes women feel good about themselves.” 

In her latest book, the iconic fashion designer discusses the lessons she has learned throughout her incredible life and career. During this conversation, von Furstenberg shared some of those lessons, such as the importance of owning our relationship to ourselves. She shared that whether we are faced with success or failure, the most powerful thing we can do is to take agency and dictate our futures. In fact, von Furstenberg revealed that she thinks failure is just as important as success, because it stimulates us to learn, to change and to rearrange our own versions of success. 

Furthermore, von Furstenberg recommended not being needy or dependent on others; instead, rely on yourself. “The most important relationship is the one we have with ourself. Once we have that, every other relationship is a plus and not a must,” von Furstenberg said. “The one thing that is always consistent is that you’re always with yourself.”  

The conversation spanned all aspects of life, and von Furstenberg also discussed the topic of aging. Instead of dreading each impending birthday, von Furstenberg said she encourages people to be proud of their age, and of the experiences they have collected throughout the years. Von Furstenberg said, “Your age is layers and layers of memories and souvenirs and experiences and colors and images and love, and all of that. That has to be embraced. I don’t call it aging, I call it living.” 

Diane von Furstenberg’s book Own It: The Secret to Life is filled with many more insightful life lessons and advice that will leave you feeling inspired and motivated. The book can be purchased here. 

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• book
• conversation
• Diane von Furstenberg
• DVF
• fashion
• Her Campus Media
• life
• own it
• press conference
• Windsor Hanger Western