Imagine a life filled with glamour, grit, and an iconic wrap dress that changed fashion forever. Now, picture that life on your screen. Diane von Furstenberg is giving us an all-access pass to her incredible journey in the new documentary, Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge, premiering on June 25 on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.
The documentary, directed by Academy Award winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 5. Described as “an unprecedented look at the non-stop life of a cultural luminary,” the film dives deep into von Furstenberg’s life, from her childhood to her rise as a fashion legend.
“If it wasn’t inspirational, I didn’t want to do it,” Diane said during a press conference at her New York City headquarters. She initially had reservations, but the push from her co-director and long-time admirer, Obaid-Chinoy, and producer Fabiola Beracasa Beckman convinced her to go for it.
The journey to making this documentary wasn’t quick or easy. Diane and Obaid-Chinoy first connected back in 2012 when Diane presented the filmmaker with Glamour’s Woman of the Year award. Their initial idea was a docuseries on various inspirational women, but networks wanted a documentary focused solely on Diane. Producer Beckman had also been nudging Diane towards this project for a while.
“One day, I was going to Little Island [park] and I saw Fabiola,” Diane recalled. “I looked at her and said, ‘Okay, I’m ready for it.’”
But here’s the kicker: Diane had some serious nerves about this. “My fear really came in the last five weeks since I saw the movie,” she admitted. Watching her life story unfold was like, “I felt like I was at the gynecologist for 90 minutes.” But ultimately, she decided, “If it’s inspirational, then it’s worth it.”
The film, produced by a powerhouse female-led team, includes Beckman, Tracy Aftergood, Sean Stuart, Obaid-Chinoy, and Dalton. Diane’s trust in these women was pivotal. “I trust these women, and more importantly, I trust their intelligence,” she said. “And so I just gave them access to my archives.”
Diane emphasized that this is not a “promotional movie.” She stepped back from the production process, letting the team tell her story without interference. “I had nothing to say about the editing,” she clarified. “The minute I said yes, I told myself I didn’t want to be a producer. I didn’t want to do anything.”
Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge is a testament to embracing vulnerability. “It’s not an aggressive statement. It’s a commitment to yourself,” Diane shared. “We own our imperfection, they become our assets. We own our vulnerability, we turn it into strength.”
Catch this inspiring story on Hulu starting June 25, and get ready to be wowed by the life of a woman who truly embodies empowerment, resilience, entrepreneurship, and style.
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