USA: Designer Diane von Furstenberg creates new beginnings with Spring 2012 collection

Record ID: 739427

  • Title: USA: Designer Diane von Furstenberg creates new beginnings with Spring 2012 collection
  • Date: 12th September 2011
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, FASHION DESIGNER, SAYING: "Today, the collection is called 'beginnings' and it's all about hope and optimism, and beauty and color."
  • Embargoed: 27th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa, Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA91JKCB1CFGDT2JPHJ9VJHXJYJ
  • Story Text: Designer Diane von Furstenberg presented a full palette of colorful pastels for her Spring 2012 collection on Sunday (September 11) at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.
    And the name of her collection was also a nod to the significance of having her show on the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks.
    "The collection is called 'beginnings' and it's all about hope and optimism, and beauty and color," von Furstenberg said. "And today is 9/11 and so I thought it was appropriate to call the show 'beginnings'."
    The designer admitted that she had hesitations about showcasing her line on a day that was likely to conjure up feelings of loss for families and friends who were effected by the day's tragic events.
    But von Furstenberg felt it was important to move forward in difficult times by creating light amidst the dark.
    Despite her usual use of romantic-style cuts, the Belgium-American designer implemented Asian influences in her designs with kimono style dresses and sleeves. Her optimistic outlook was evident in her use of bright pastels and shimmering fabrics to drape feminine silhouettes.
    With five boutiques in China, it would appear that von Furstenberg has taken advantage of Asia as an emerging market.
    After the models made their final walk, von Furstenberg closed the show by handing out American flags to attendes, along with the company's creative director.
    There was no shortage of celebrities in her front row. The designer stopped to embrace Valentino and deliver a few kisses to designer Oscar de la Renta and actress Susan Sarandon.
    Backstage where the audience came to congratulate von Furstenberg, Sarandon told Reuters how she commemorates 9/11.
    "I think the best thing to do, really, in honor of those people," Sarandon said.
    "And Diane and I had a very close friend who died in the first plane, so it's very personal for me besides the fact that I live downtown and it's very vivid still in my mind, but I think the best thing is to live fully. I think that to celebrate life is the best thing we can do."
    Mercedes-benz Fashion week in New York will conclude on September 15.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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