The Woman I Wanted to Be Paperback – Illustrated, October 13, 2015

In this autobiography DVF gladly cheers us on to become the women we want to be as she reveals through honest and vulnerable confession her imagined and real failings as well as her amazing successes through hard work and serendipity. This truly adventurous woman's life is a genuinely inspiring wild ride. Her account is inspirational , enthralling, fast-paced and fun!

I loved this book because you live her success all through the book. I think the personal life and professional success stories were well blended. What a passionate life! The general feeling is not only was she obviously a very talented woman but also very lucky. She happened to be all the time in the right place at the right moment and had met the write people. In any case, it's very inspiring.

This is a great autobiography. Diane has been open, honest and vulnerable. She told us things I might not have had the courage to tell. she revealed how much she struggled with her empire. I never dreamed things had been so tough for her. My respect for successful people grew by leaps and bounds. Thank you Diane for this sometimes lovely, sometimes not so lovely biography.

I enjoyed reading DvF's The Woman I Wanted to Be. I was really excited about this memoir, which seems to have been timed perfectly with the recent launch of DvF's reality TV series. Aside from the first chapter, which tells the story of Diane's mother surviving the Nazi concentration camps, the rest of the book feels like an impersonal account of Diane's personal and professional milestones, with random stories sprinkled in between. Her tone in this book feels distant and her powerful personality, charm, and sense of independence didn't really shine through. She glossed over the hardships she endured in her personal and professional life, almost sounding like an E! News reporter recapping an update instead of speaking about her thoughts and emotions as she experienced these hardships. I like that she included an interesting glimpse into her childhood, her "boring" youth, and all the different stages of her life until now, complete with all the whirlwind romances and big loves (aided by the journals she kept). It was a quick, fun read written honestly about Diane's life as a princess, socialite, designer, daughter, mother and more.

Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) is a woman to admire. She credits her mother for her elegance and for training her to be independent. She credits her father for his unconditional love. Then there is that wrap dress she created, which a woman of any shape or size can wear confidently and stylishly. DVF tells the story of how she became the woman she wanted to be. She led a fabulous life, good schools and travel, mingling with the rich and famous and people of accomplishment in the arts. She talks about love and it's importance in an unabashed way. "I have tried not to lie my whole life", she writes, and I believe her. She was introduced into the Jet Set life, married a prince and danced and designed her way to the DVF empire which now has stores world wide. There were setbacks, both financial and health, but she is still standing and smiling. The book was a blast from the past for me, moving through six decades and inspiring all along the way. I ordered a wrap dress which I can't wait to receive and I look forward to what she does next!

Not for everyone, she does go back and forth in her life. My recommendation is not to expect a book written by a literature intellectual (although it is written beautifully) but by a great woman, with an amazing life and strong character. If you're looking for inspiration, you'll find it here. Although she has been very blessed financially since a young age, her life decisions have made her a self-sufficient woman with a life of her own.

The little dress that started it all. The wrap dress that made Diane Furstenberg a household name. Diane von Furstenberg has written the tome of her life. She has done it her way, lived her life, but also written her book in a manner that exemplifies her independence. We meet not only the woman, her family, friends and work colleagues, we get to see how her philosophies in life impact her, and what is important to her.'The Woman I Am', essays in three parts, Roots, Love, Beauty, Diane gives us her story. She pays homage to her mother, a survivor of the Concentration Camps, her strength and beauty,and how that affected both of them. She was a courageous woman, and Diane exemplifies her life in her actions. Diane was a child of privilege. Her young days as a socialite, living in Europe, looking for her life's passion, her marriage to Egon Von Furstenberg, the births of her children, they are the most important people in her world. Onto the creation of her wrap dress that opened her world to design, art and business.The second part of her book is dedicated to 'The Business of Fashion', which encompasses the American Dream, the Comeback Kid and the New Era. She has built and rebuilt her business several times, from clothing to beauty, to boutiques. She symbolized the new generation of independent women. She always wanted to pay her own bills, purchased her own homes, Cloudland in Conn., apartments, travel. She overcame cancer, a horrific car accident, building her own brand with her children as part of her business. She discusses her marriage to Barry Diller and some of her romances. Diane is a nice woman, she does not yell and shout, no gossiping stories about anyone. Her success was built by her, she remains the strong, independent woman she has always wanted to be.This was a revealing look at Diane von Furstenberg by Diane von Furstenberg. Her life on the pedestal, her philosophy of empowering others, especially other women. Her trials and tribulations, she has overcome a great deal, but she has also received a great deal. Her life has been good, and she did it her way.Recommended. prisrob 11-02-14

Loved the whole story! Very inspirational, glamourös, and truly raw. Diane makes me to look at life and age in a very accepting, loving way.

Súper buen libro, Su vida me parece cosa de película, mi parte favorita es la última donde habla del negocio de la moda, creo que se pueden tomar notas importantes.

Came earlier than told...such a great gesture..loved it

Enjoyed reading this book very much. Diane gave a very honest and captivating recount of her life which was filled with amazing experiences and thoughtful reflections. Thanks for writing this book!

Dianne is a wonderful writer. I enjoy reading biographies and even more so autobiographies but this was so personal, exposing a real woman in her vulnerabilities and strengths. I believe the book hides little gems of life advice we could take from Dianne. Whilst I devoured the majority of the book in a few hours, the last few chapters lacked the same spark and also felt a bit crammed with facts and names and less meaning. Might be because they were happening in late 1990s - 2000s and life became rushed for all of us, all of a sudden. :)