On Wednesday night, Diane von Furstenburg hosted an invitation only soiree in the permanent location of her flagship boutique on the corner of Washington and 14th Streets in Manhattan’s meatpacking district. There was no dress code, however, judging by the amount of DVF signature dresses worn by the crowd, the 2000+ square foot shop clearly held not only long time devotees, but new fans as well.
She has said, “Fashion is a very mysterious thing” and yet, over the years she has mastered the ever-changing moods of the industry, the very concept that so many study in hopes of achieving even a thread of her success. What she has so graciously contributed to three generations of women’s fashion is immeasurable. Her love of the industry is reflected in the newly designed, clean, colorful, and enormous space, built to house her collections of bold patterns and vintage prints, which are updated monthly.
The official store opening drew friends and admirers who reveled in the new space and browsed the latest colorful designs while enjoying strawberry and rhubarb potato vodka cocktails, Moet, and delicate hors d’oeuvres. The well wishers numbered in the hundreds, as wall to wall guests included: Hamish Bowles, Ellen Barkin, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Graydon Carter and wife Anna, Hubby Barry Diller, best friend Ahn Duong, Fran Liebowitz, Marlo Thomas, Ann Dexter-Jones, Peggy Siegal, Meredith Melling Burke, Anderson Cooper, Anna Wintour, and fashionistas galore. Also spotted were a black and white Chihuahua, a Yorkshire terrier, and a Scottish terrier held by Vogue’s Meredith Melling Burke.
The gals of DVF were decked out in her bright and distinctive summer frocks. Some were meeting and greeting while others guarded the merchandise. I parked myself next to a smartly dressed security guard and assisted him briefly with the task of helping partygoers avoid stepping into the curiously placed and difficult to spot pools of water in the store.
DVF made her way around the crowd and sat for photographers on the shiny white acrylic steps leading up to the forbidden level, the cordoned off second floor that taunted us with its out of reach designs. The flashbulbs reflected in the tiny mirrors strung above each step to the ceiling, creating a waterfall affect.
This must be the Stairway to Heaven.
-Kerri Mullon
I love the pictures! Your sites the best!
So, share your secret, how’d you score an invite to this swanky soiree? -Jill