In the spirit of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, female-led companies are coming to the forefront of their brands to advocate for female empowerment and the support of young women. One of those leading the charge is fashion designer and legend, Diane von Furstenberg.
On March 7, Furstenberg hosted a day of panels at the brand’s DVF Studio in the Meatpacking District meant to celebrate the power of women’s voices. The #INCHARGE panels featured famous figures, including former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, actress Sophia Bush, activist Rowan Blanchard, Parkland survivors Sarah Chadwick and Delaney Tarr, and painter Amy Sherald, among others, who discussed female leadership, the current political climate, and what it means to be in charge. The panels were followed by the opening of the studio’s latest inspiration room with works of art inspired by women, curated by artist Ashley Longshore.
After meeting Longshore over tea in London in December, von Furstenberg had the idea to put together a collection of Longshore’s art. She gave Longshore a list of women who have inspired her through their energy and achievements.“I was immediately impressed by Ashley’s contagious enthusiasm and vibrant talent,” said von Furstenberg. “I knew she was a ‘Woman in Charge,’ and I felt she would be perfect to curate our next inspiration room especially with International Women’s Month approaching. The collaboration felt seamless.”
Longshore, who is based in New Orleans, thought it would be a five-minute meeting, but they sat down together and had tea for 45 minutes. “We had the best tea. It was so great, and she said, ‘I don’t want you to use glitter, or bedazzle or resin. I want this to be a very raw version of you, Ashley, because I think you are an amazing painter, and I don’t think you need all that.’ I said, ‘Look, you’re Diane von Furstenberg, you’re curating me. You tell me what you want,’” said Longshore, whose been dubbed by The New York Times as “Fashion’s Latest Art Darling.”
Von Furstenberg sent her a very long list of women that she loves. “It’s people all the way from Colette, Marlene Dietrich, Mother Teresa, Amelia Earhart, Josephine Baker, Rosa Parks, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama….these women that really span generations. The one thing they have in common is they’re absolutely fearless women, being exactly who they are and doing exactly what they love and were born to do,” said Longshore. “It’s really been such a great journey for me to create all those pieces knowing I wasn’t adding glitter or shine. They’re just so magnificent together. The colors are so powerful. You can imagine how inspired I feel standing back and looking at all these incredible faces of these extremely accomplished women,” she said.
Asked how she decided on the women, von Furstenberg said, “I chose iconic women who have left significant impacts on the world of science, literature, entertainment and philanthropy. They are truly are women in charge, both past and present.”
“This is the best body of work I’ve ever done,” said Longshore. “It’s so raw and pared-down. Diane made me feel really vulnerable, which is something I keep saying I want to work on…she really has been a teacher. I researched all these incredible women and learned so much about women I knew nothing about. I’ve learned a lot about myself, too. She’s right. I don’t need glitter and bedazzle and gloss. She really challenged me. What an honor to be curated by such a fashion icon.”
Von Furstenberg added, “It’s a pleasure to have been able to collaborate with Ashley and see my heritage prints and patterns intertwined within her artwork and I’m proud to support empowering such an incredible artist and woman.”
But that’s not all. DVF also launched a limited-edition collection of clothing and accessories, donating 20 percent of all proceeds from March 7 to 10 to “VV Grow,” a global accelerator program for female entrepreneurs. For those who were unable to attend in person, you can watch the discussions on the brand’s social channels. As for what people take away from the event, Diane wants attendees to feel inspired. “It’s inspiration. You get inspired and it inspires you to do something, and you can network. We’re also turning it into a huge shopping event where people can shop. Twenty percent of that will go to Vital Voices Growth Fund, which is the fund that helps a lot of women make their dreams come true,” she shared.
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