The Woman I Wanted to Be

By Katie Jackson Many wish they could peek into the minds of those who have found true happiness and success, hoping to come to understand the pathway in which they earned their desired goals. But to be offered a glimpse into the life of a woman who is not only brilliantly successful and heavily admired, but is also kind, genuine, and immensely passionate, is a true rarity. Diane von Furstenberg gave those who not only adore her designs, but those who adore and admire her, the chance to understand exactly how she became the woman she wanted to be. Even better, the legendary designer made sure to come and celebrate her tome during Art Basel right here in the Magic City. In her memoir, the woman responsible for creating the beloved wrap dress delves into detail about her journey to becoming one of the most respected forces in the fashion industry. Included in The Woman I Wanted to Be are also intimate details about von Furstenberg’s love life, children, how she overcame cancer, and her feelings about aging. “In a sense I feel more beautiful than I have ever felt because my life is full, my children and grandchildren are my pride, and so is the body of my work. I have traveled the world, seen so much beauty in nature, met so many people. I cannot pretend that I am younger than I am, and truly I feel that I have lived so fully that I should be twice my age.” Already a best seller, The Woman I Wanted to Be has garnered an extensive amount of attention. And despite her busy schedule—shooting her “E!” reality show “House of DVF” included—von Furstenberg headed to Miami during Art Basel to celebrate with those who fell in love with her story. With cameras in tow, the designer made a stop at Books & Books in Bal Harbour Shops on December 2nd for a discussion led by entertainment journalist Ana Remos. The very next night, von Furstenberg signed copies of her book in her Aventura Mall boutique. Packed to the brim, the designer’s pop up was filled with attendees sipping champagne and enjoying hors de ‘oeuvres while patiently waiting to have a moment with the legend. With The Woman I Wanted to Be, readers will walk away with truly remarkable wisdom from the woman who not only created an empire, but also created a platform that truly empowers women everywhere. Click here to view post on the January/February 2015 issue.