Sami’s Blog: Diane von Furstenberg

The joy of a dress is not to be underestimated. It is the 50^th anniversary of the iconic wrap dress, first designed by living legend and real-life princess, Diane von Furstenberg.

The experts say a wrap dress is kind of like mashed potato: it never lets you down. Well, what they say is it is the most flattering of all cuts as the V neck is kind to the bust line while the wrap around waist and A-line skirt slims over the hips. A match made in heaven akin to hot chips and gravy. I had forgotten this basic fashion rule that a wrap dress never lets you down and when I read Furstenberg (holy high fashion priestess) and her famous design are turning 50 this year I had quite a bad memory come flooding back to me.

Fifteen years ago, the famous Trinny and Sussanah media personality duo rolled into Carindale Shopping Centre to offer their fashion advice and film it all for their fashion show ‘What Not To Wear.’ I was sent to interview the intimidating British super stars. They dragged me to the carpark so they could have a drag of their ciggies and they began to tell me I was wearing a hideous sack of a blouse that did not show off my assets as they pawed at my waist and badly cut clothing. I took up smoking in that very second because did not know what else to do. They told me my synthetic and cheap pants were rubbish and I should only wear wrap dresses. It was said the way I would declare it is bedtime for my kids.  Not to be debated. Then they went back to smoking and looking impeccable in the car park as thousands of fans waited to see them inside the shopping centre. I never took their advice but perhaps to celebrate Diane von Fursteberg’s big 50 I will buy a wrap dress.

She is the daughter of a holocaust survivor; she was taught that fear is never an option. The Belgian-born designer began crafting clothes in 1970 and has not looked back. The businesswoman married a real-life prince and later divorce him to move on to other husbands.  And then there is that wrap dress. The legendary garment that was seen as a symbol of liberation thanks to its inclusive fit and flattering style.

Some dresses have made their stamp on history. Coco Chanel revolutionised fashion with her Little Black Dress and with her simple lines. And when it comes to movies who can forget Julia Robert’s red gown in Pretty Woman that took our breath away? Or Marilyn Monroe’s “Happy Birthday” dress.

Some of us are of an age to remember the pop culture bombshell when Bjork wore a dress that made it look there was a swan with thousands of feathers draped around her neck. And what about Sharon Stone in THAT white dress when she uncrossed her legs during her interrogation scene. Dresses.  They are more than just fabric. They help us tell our tales each day. And that is a wrap.