Just when Paris fashion was dribbling to an end, Diane von Furstenberg invited me to her new fragrance launch. It was to introduce Diane, her “latest baby” whose violet and frangipani ingredients remind her of “memory and addiction.”
Just when Paris fashion was dribbling to an end, Diane von Furstenberg invited me to her new fragrance launch. It was to introduce Diane, her "latest baby" whose violet and frangipani ingredients remind her of "memory and addiction." Now, the last time I attended this type of event, it was in the mid-1980s and in honour of Cher. Then working at Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine, I became fairly psyched up, expecting a Bob Mackie extravaganza with matching headgear. Instead, the "sans maquillage" raven-haired superstar shuffled in, appearing mildly embarrassed; flanked by her young boyfriend, manager and agent. This was hardly the case with Diane who defines a pizzazz-injected solo act – whether caught boarding the Eurostar and carrying her own luggage or gabbling away in Italian at a Venetian palazzo or using her contacts in Washington and fighting against fashion’s bête noire: counterfeit piracy. Indeed, what’s wonderful about DVF whose other nicknames include Sublime, the Princess, Mrs. von Diller, is that she’s one of those rare and reliable super duper troupers.
Alas, I missed the first part of her "Diane" launch which took place by the River Seine and consisted of a hundred leggy creatures wearing her iconic wrap dress and strutting their stuff to Chaka Khan’s "I’m Every Woman." Still, arriving at Sephora’s flagship for Diane’s autograph session defined something else. Two heavies barred the main entrance. I was reminded of a nightclub even though it was the early afternoon. But once inside, I was blasted by a Chaka Khan-entranced atmosphere. Fabulously festive, there was Diane – instantly recognizable by her cloud of hennaed hair and pair of flawless pins – clutching a huge bouquet and surrounded by dancing youths. "Be the woman you want to be," is the message behind her new scent. Well, DVF remains a shining example.
Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni is a Paris-based British journalist who covers fashion and lifestyle as well as being the author of Sam Spiegel – The Biography of A Hollywood Legend, Understanding Chic, an essay from the Paris Was Ours anthology and soon-to-be released Chanel book, for Assouline's fashion series.
Robert Beck is former New Yorker currently based in Paris. Also known as C.J. Rabbitt, he is the author and illustrator of several children's books, including The Tale of Rabbitt in Paradis, Un Lapin à Paris and the soon-to-be-published A Bunny in the Ballet.
