Diane von Furstenberg

How I loved my mother for saying that! She did not say I deserved him, she said he deserved me. In those three words was everything—how she valued me, the person I had become, and how she valued him for deserving me.

chose lilies of the valley to honor my mother. I made myself a cream jersey dress. I did not feel particularly pretty that day, but I was so happy.

openness to me, his unconditional acceptance, his deep desire for my happiness and that of the children brings tears to my eyes to think about.

The most important thing Barry and I have in common is that we are both self-reliant. The presence in each other’s lives was never a necessity, and therefore always felt like a huge luxury.

Early on I decided that if I could not be a pretty blonde like the other girls, I would accept being different, develop my own personality, and become popular by being funny and daring.

We talked all night and I felt beautiful because he paid me so much attention.

wanted to become one of those women across the room who look so poised and seductive.

Once a femme fatale, always a femme fatale!

Character. Intelligence. Strength. Style. That makes beauty. All these attributes form beauty, and personality, that elusive state of being that is not necessarily perfect. “Beauty is perfect in its imperfections.” It is our imperfections that make us different.

Like many of the models I used, Iman was, and is, a strong, intelligent woman. She speaks five languages and went on to found a successful cosmetics and fashion company, establishing her own global brand. After one daughter and a divorce, she met and married the rock star David Bowie, with whom she shares another daughter and her life in New York. Iman has never forgotten her roots. She does important work for Raise Hope for Congo, UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation.