Tale of a timeless classic

[Photo/China Daily]

Diane von Furstenberg, the creator of the wrap dress, was recently in Beijing for the launch of the Chinese version of her autobiography, The Woman I Wanted To Be, which was first published in English in 2014. Sun Yuanqing reports.

In the history of fashion, there are few outfits that are as timeless as the wrap dress. With its soft jersey fabric, a curving silhouette and an adjustable belt, this dress has transcended classes, generations and occasions.

Diane von Furstenberg, the creator of the wrap dress, was recently in Beijing for the launch of the Chinese version of her autobiography, The Woman I Wanted To Be, which was first published in English in 2014.

In this book, she tells the story of her family, her career and her life.

"I have never been to therapy, but I always say that writing this book was like therapy because I really put everything into it," the 70-year-old says.

"For me, I was writing at a time when I felt like I had learned some things, and I was at a point when I wanted to share what I had learned. So it is about legacy. It is about lessons I want my granddaughters and women at all stages of their lives to take away."

Von Furstenberg has a long history with China.

She first visited in 1990, and she also opened the exhibition Journey of a Dress at Pace Gallery in Beijing in 2008.

The designer has many friends in China, like publisher Hong Huang and artist Li Songsong.

This time, she was with her longtime friend, Chinese-American businesswoman Wendi Deng, who accompanied her during her trip to Beijing.

"I have always loved China and I have always found the strength of Chinese women to be so inspiring ... As I get to know more Chinese women, I realize that no matter how strong and successful they are, they still look for reassurance when it comes to their femininity. And I can relate to that－the mix of strength and vulnerability," she says.

"That is really why I wrote the book because I think anyone with a voice should use it and her story to help others, which is why I am so happy to share this book with the women of China."