#14. An Exclusive Interview with Diane Von Furstenberg on Pauline Trigère

"I met Pauline a few times and we spoke French together. She was strong and elegant."

Pauline Trigère with DVF

A photograph of Diane von Furstenberg chatting with Pauline Trigère, led me to reach out to the iconic designer for an interview.

Diane, mostly known by her initial's DVF is another giant in the American fashion industry. Not only does her eponymous brand have worldwide presence, her legendary wrap-dress sold over 25,000 units per week shortly after she launched it in 1974. She also served as the Chairwoman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) from 2006 to 2019; the fashion designer's association in which Pauline Trigère was one of the original founding member. Diane was also listed as one of the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine in 2014.

DVF recalled that she often saw Pauline during various events and they spoke French to one another. In this particular photograph dated from year 2000 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall for the 20th annual CFDA Fashion Award, Pauline is talking to Diane wearing her trademark gold bib necklace and stack of gold bangles. Her over-sized glasses together with bright nail polish complete her signature look. What stood out most to Diane was that Pauline was always impeccably dressed and wore very bright red lipstick. Pauline also had beautiful skin even at an advanced age: in this photo Pauline is 88 years old. Diane recounted Pauline was strong and elegant, two words that are often used by people to describe Pauline.

Interview date January 30, 2023