By Jennan Al-Hamdouni
While New York City was abuzz with Mercedes Benz Fashion Week events, design icon Diane Von Furstenberg took full advantage of the city's appetite for style last week with the debut of her first-ever home collection.
The largest home launch in Bloomingdale's history, the collection includes tabletop, bedding and decorative accessories. Combined with her women's fashion collections, von Furstenberg's name now graces three of Bloomingdale's seven floors—as well as a full block's worth of window displays illustrating a chic blend of fashion and home.
"There’s an incredible energy in what Diane does," said Joe Granger, President of Springs Global, von Furstenberg's licensing partner. "The industry needs brands like this to bring excitement back into it, to re-engage the consumer and touch their emotions."
"How do you make a table sexy?" asked a reporter. "Turn off the lights," she quipped. “Design your life the way you want to live."
Known for her lively, glamorous style and aesthetic, it's no surprise her home collections are teeming with bold colors, patterns and materials. She believes that life is all about experimenting and never seeing things as black and white. Nature, contemporary art and her own fashion prints are among her inspirations, and she believes in the home as a sanctuary and as an opportunity to express one’s style and individuality.
Inspired by her love of geometric silhouettes, the dinnerware consists of signature Pebblestone and Powerstone shapes in highly glazed Avocado Green, Tamarind Yellow, Sea Salt and Smoked Gray. The collection also includes lacquered trays with gold details, horn serving accessories, and brass and rattan serving bowls provide perfect accents and ideal gifts as well.
"Who is your customer?" a reporter asked. "The woman who has been buying my clothes for years and now she's getting married," said von Furstenberg. Appropriate to the demographic, the pricepoints range from $25 to $150.
Chief Creative Officer of Springs Global Edward Cardimona spoke at the Star Lounge, designed by von Furstenberg for Fashion Week at Lincoln Center.
Through a mix of vintage prints, DVF encourages her bedding customers to "Create your own style. Pair. Contrast. Be intuitive." The bedding collection of duvet covers, coverlets, sheets, shams and throw pillows and blankets, in cotton twill and sateen weaves, range from $80 to $300.
