Diane Von Furstenburg

The Fashion Statement: Obama Weathers Storm, Book Praises Style

Michelle Obama has weathered the sartorial storm.

Late last week on Good Morning America, she faced her critics: "Look, women, wear what you love. That's all I can say. That's my motto. I wear what I like because...I gotta be in the dress, so..."

Next week, she will be lauded for connecting with everyday Americans by her attainable style in a book by Kate Betts, Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style (Clarkson Potter, February 8, 2011).

If you haven't been keeping track, here's what all the fuss was about: Weeks after the First Lady wore an Alexander McQueen gown (pictured above) to a state dinner honoring Chinese president Hu Jintao, her fashion choice had grown into a full-blown kerfuffle. Some blogs were even calling it McQueengate.

From a fashion point of view, most critics agreed it was a slam dunk (the color red is auspicious in Chinese culture). From a political viewpoint, several U.S. designers-Oscar de la Renta and Diane Von Furstenberg, in particular-voiced disapproval that she donned a British, instead of American, label on an evening that was supposed to promote American Chinese trade.

Tags: Alexander McQueen, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, CFDA, Diane Von Furstenburg, Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style, Kate betts, Michelle Obama, Oscar de la Renta

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Inside the Homes of American Fashion Designers

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Decor, Books, Celebrity Design, Architecture & Design

Assouline has released the latest luxe edition in its American Fashion series, dedicated to the top-drawer designers who are members of the prestigious CFDA. American Fashion Designers at Home showcases the personal spaces of more than 100 fashionistas, including Diane von Furstenburg, Oscar de la Renta, Cynthia Rowley and Kate Spade. While some designer dwellings are extensions of the sensibilities embodied by their apparel collections, others exhibit a marked contrast. The domiciles range from studio apartments to sprawling estates, but all are linked by a keen aesthetic sense. Included are Carolina Herrera's grand Louis XV–influenced New York apartment; Betsey Johnson's girly glamourpuss garret; Ralph Lauren's luxuriously rustic Colorado ranch; Donna Karan's tranquil Turks & Caicos getaway; Tommy Hilfiger's over-the-top Greenwich mansion; Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa's ultra-modern Manhattan aerie; and Johann Lindeberg's converted Greenwich Village factory (on the book's cover, above). Check out the gallery for a preview of Randolph Duke's Hollywood spread (which he recently sold for $5.3 million), David Chu's chic digs and more.

Gallery: American Fashion Designers at Home

Tags: Assouline, books, Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, CFDA, coffe table books, Colorado, David Chu, decor, designer, Diane von Furstenburg, Donna Karan, estates, fashion, fashion design, fashion designers, Greenwich Village, interior design, Kate Spade, New York, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Randolph Duke, Turks Caicos

Diane von Furstenberg Unveils Her Designs for Claridge's

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Celebrity Design

Legendary fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg unveils her exclusive designs for Claridge's, the London hotel.

Yesterday evening, Diane von Furstenberg discussed her first interior design project for a series of rooms and suites designed exclusively for Claridge's, the Art Deco jewel in Mayfair, London.

The legendary designer is a longtime guest and friend of the hotel. Claridge's and Diane von Furstenberg have enjoyed an intimate relationship since the 1970's and some of her past collections have even been inspired by the renowned hotel.

"I am so excited, humbled and flattered to design rooms in my favorite hotel," said von Furstenberg at the unveiling which she hosted at her headquarters in New York. "It is the ultimate hotel. I have been staying there for 30 years. It is the only place where they still call me 'Highness'!"

Gallery: Diane von Furstenberg reveals her designs for Claridge's

Stephen Alden, chief executive officer of Maybourne Hotel Group

"Claridge's is so unique," she added. "There are no other hotels like it."

Tags: awards-main, awards-module, awards-promo, Claridges, diane von furstenberg, Diane Von Furstenburg, interior design, London, Luxist-awards, Maybourne Hotel Group, Mayfair, Stephen Alden, The Maybourne Hotel Group, winter-travel-awards, winter-travel-main

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Diane Von Furstenburg Maria Clutch, Handbag of the Day

by Nicole Weston (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Handbags

Diane Von Furstenburg usually has people going crazy over her gorgeous dresses, and not necessarily the accessories, but the fact that there is a beautifully matching dress for this Maria Clutch is one of the reasons to love it. The clutch is liked with navy blue leather and has a red and cream print fabric with a bold, fan print. There is a gold-colored, sinuously woven metal decoration on the front flap, which unsnaps to reveal two inside pockets and a deep blue suede lining. Price: $390.

The dress ($475), by the way, is a knee-length strapless number with the same fan print all-over. It is fitted at the bust and waist, with a flaring skirt that creates a perfect silhouette.

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Tags: clutch, coordinate, Diane Von Furstenburg, DianeVonFurstenburg, dress, handbag, handbag of the day, retro