Diane Von Furstenberg Releases New Book ‘The Woman I Wanted To Be’

Diane von Furstenberg released a new book yesterday, Oct. 28, entitled The Woman I Wanted To Be. Diane has been an iconic face in fashion for more than 40 years. According to The Huffington Post, in her new memoir she shares what she has learned along the way.

"I put my soul into it," she said. "One who's known me 35 years helped with the structure and architecture. But it's me speaking. I sat at my computer weekends. I'd work 5 a.m. to 8. I'm up daily around dawn and go to sleep between 11:30 and 1. You cannot sleep longer because how much time do any of us have left in life?"

Diane was born to a mother who survived the concentration camps, had two children with an actual prince and was taking the fashion world by storm by the time she was in her late 20s. Now at 67, she shows no sign of slowing down.

"My mother survived being a prisoner in Auschwitz. She wasn't supposed to have children — and then she had me. I tell about my roots, my parents, who taught me one must never fear. Never be a victim. Fear is not an option. I'm full of failures. The journey's ups and downs. A collection is designed through inspiration. I follow instinct, but sometimes it's not good. My mother taught me to transform any situation into victory. Good can come from bad."

The designer also shares some of her lifestyle routines, her biggest strength and, of course, the woman she wanted to be.

"I do yoga. I meditate. I eat healthy. I love family. I'm curious. My biggest strength is I take responsibility. I don't blame weather. I don't blame anybody. I even travel alone — no entourage. I was a good little girl in school who always wanted to learn. And always wanted to be a sophisticated woman."

In the introduction of her book, von Furstenberg says, "As a girl, I did not know what I wanted to do but I knew the kind of woman I wanted to be. I wanted to be my own person, independent and free. I knew that freedom could only be achieved if I took full responsibility for myself and my actions, if I were true to truth, if I became my very best friend.

"I wrote this book with no sugarcoating. It's honest. Like therapy. I've known days where I wake up thinking I'm the biggest loser. Other women can feel like that. But know that looking at a woman across the room thinking she's perfect, realize she's across the room looking at you thinking you're perfect."