The Belgian designer retraces her history, reflects on the evolution of fashion and talks about what it means to stay true to yourself.

With a new campaign launched in exclusive collaboration with <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/fashion/zalando-explores-fashion-as-self-expression-sarah-jessica-parker-and-mahmood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zalando</a> , <a href="https://www.lofficielibiza.com/fashion/70s-fashion-designers-emilio-pucci-diane-von-furstenberg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diane von F&uuml;rstenberg</a> inaugurates a new phase of her historic brand. More than fifty years after the birth of the famous wrap dress, the designer reaffirms her vision of fashion at the service of women, joining forces with international faces such as Grace Elizabeth to convey a message of strength and awareness. The partnership with Zalando - now the brand's sole retail distributor in Europe - marks a strategic moment, with the aim of reaching a new generation of consumers through contemporary and digital storytelling: "This is a new era for my company" says Diane von F&uuml;rstenberg, "In February 2025 I regained full control of my brand, over the product, the narrative and the distribution, and I chose Zalando as the official distributor for Europe". L'OFFICIEL: Many women have worn your designs over the years, from Michelle Obama to Madonna. Is there something they have in common? Diane von F&uuml;rstenberg: A woman dresses because she wants to communicate something. Madonna wore a wrap dress when she presented a children's book. She wanted to convey confidence while talking to the little ones. Michelle Obama wore it for her first Christmas card as First Lady &mdash; also to express confidence, but in a completely different way. There is not just one type of DVF woman. In an exhibition of mine, there was a photo of Michelle Obama in a wrap dress , and right next to her, Amy Winehouse, two weeks before her death. LO: Is there a woman you haven't dressed yet but would like to? DVF: I like to be surprised, there is no 'one woman'. It's more about how people wear clothes and what they mean to them. I want the dress to be like a friend to the woman.

LO: You founded your brand in one of the most culturally rich periods in fashion history. How has this inspired your designs? DVF: The 70s were an incredible decade. We thought we had invented everything. I came to New York and there was nudity on Broadway. New York was cheap, and because of that there was so much art. Everything was possible, there were artists everywhere and events every night.
LO: What do you think was there in the 70s that is missing in today's culture? DVF: I don't know. I mean, as a baby boomer who was young in the '70s, I sometimes feel guilty about the world we left behind.
LO: Are there fundamental differences between the DVF brand today and that of the 70s? DVF: When I started, I was making little dresses that I thought were practical, sexy and simple. Then the company grew, there were ups and downs just like life. What I find fascinating is that it is always young girls who rediscover the brand. Over the years we have had different CEOs and designers, but every time we move away from the fundamental codes of DVF, everything weakens. But when we go back to the roots, the design is very strong.
LO: How have you managed to stay true to yourself and your brand over time? And what values do you consider fundamental today when working with digital platforms? DVF: Being true to yourself is the most important thing, but it is also very difficult. It is a daily challenge, but it is the secret of life.

LO: Have you ever felt pressured to change your brand identity? DVF: Every year I choose a word. This year it is 'agility'. Having agility is fundamental, as a person, as a brand, as a company and as a country.
LO: Looking at your stylistic evolution, are there any iconic pieces you have worn? Or something you would no longer wear today? DVF: I still wear pants from when I was 15, paired with a jacket from last year! Maybe it's because of the 70s, or maybe it's just my style, but somehow my clothes seem timeless.
LO: On a more personal note, where does your confidence come from? DVF: My mother always pushed me to be independent, it means taking responsibility for being yourself. And I took it on since I was a child.
LO: Yours is a story of courage since childhood, lived with intensity in every moment. But there must have been moments of doubt or obstacles that seemed insurmountable. Can you tell us one and how you overcame it? DVF: If you ask me if there were moments when I felt like a failure? Sure, almost every day, for a minute. But then you move on. You make mistakes, but that's part of life. From a big mistake something good can come, as long as you stay true to yourself. When you're at the top, stay humble. When you're at the bottom, know that another door will open.
LO: As a designer, how does the collaboration with Zalando align with your vision of timeless and accessible fashion? DVF: I chose Zalando because it is a young and dynamic company that distributes digitally in 25 European countries. It is a modern company, with young founders, a young mindset and a fantastic distribution model. I believe we will do exciting things together.

Diane Von Furstenberg - 4 Tips for Being a Woman in Charge | DVF x Zalando

LO: There&rsquo;s a lot of talk about the rise of the aspirational luxury consumer, with Gen Z leading the way in luxury spending. How does Zalando&rsquo;s digital platform engage this audience? DVF: I don&rsquo;t design for a specific generation, but for women, with fine fabrics, colorful prints, fluid shapes that include traditional tailoring details. I think about how she moves, how to make her feel confident.
LO: How do you see the evolution of fame and glamour in the Internet age? DVF: Andy Warhol would have gone crazy with the Internet! He invented the concept of the 'it girl' which is basically what influencers are today.
LO: Do you think that today's idea of glamour is different from that of the past? DVF: When I wrote my book The Woman I Wanted to Be , I realized that I had used the word 'glamour' on almost every page! Glamour was so important to me growing up. I wore sunglasses outside from the age of 12 because I thought they made me look glamorous. Today the world is so confused about so many things, because we have so much information. But glamour is still there, it's just different.
LO: What is your greatest hope for the future of the fashion system? DVF: Sustainability. I want to create things that don&rsquo;t get thrown away.

Diane von Fürstenberg and Zalando: «The new partnership celebrates the art of dressing»

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