Diane von Furstenberg’s Granddaughter Talita Launches a Capsule Collection
It seems that infectiously bold prints and dresses that make women feel pretty and powerful run in the von Furstenberg family. Diane von Furstenberg launched her namesake line back in 1974, introducing a world of working women to the power of the wrap dress. Forty-five years later, Diane von Furstenberg is a household name in all realms of fashion, from dressing women all over the world in DVF to helping mold future fashion minds as a former chairwoman of the CFDA. Now, her granddaughter Talita von Furstenberg is following in her footsteps and making a name for herself as a designer, one who intuitively knows what women of her generation want to wear.
For the past two years, Talita has been studying at Georgetown University while also serving as a DVF muse and furthering her design experience (she has been helping out and learning from her grandmother since she was 6) at the brand’s studios. Today is the day that Talita puts what she’s been learning on display, launching TVF for DVF, Talita’s first capsule collection. The capsule collection is made up of 23 pieces and, like DVF, is full of prints and dresses, but tailored to Talita’s generation, in both design and price point (it’s all under $300).
Ahead of the launch, we spoke with Talita about her college studies at Georgetown, her obsession with prints, and her capsule collection, TVF for DVF.
Teen Vogue: First, how much of your closet is solely prints?
Talita von Furstenberg: I definitely own a lot of prints. I think they’re so fun, and I’m very into florals. Right now my favorite piece is a vintage jacket from India covered with embroidered flowers. It’s actually one of my grandmother’s vintage jackets she bought decades ago. She gave it to me while I was looking through her archive collection (where she keeps all the vintage gems she’s accumulated throughout her life). Going through her archives is amazing; I get lost in that room for hours every time I step in.
TV: How did growing up with such a fashion powerhouse influence your relationship with fashion?
Talita: When I was 9, I went to Florence with my grandma for a special resort runway collection she was doing. She told me I could only come if I really worked — so there I was, mini-me helping cast the models and style the looks. Obviously I wasn’t actually doing anything since I was so young, but I felt so involved and instrumental in the success of the project. After that trip I realized that fashion was 100% what I loved and wanted to pursue.
TV: Tell me about the capsule collection, how it came into play. Did you always want to create some sort of capsule collection?
Talita: I’ve always been involved with the DVF brand, since I was 6 years old; when I would travel with my grandmother, I would always sketch dresses, hoping that one day she would use them. I even asked her if I could change the name of the company to Talita von Furstenberg when I took over the reins, so I’ve always wanted to work with DVF. Now, the time has finally come, and, given that my capsule collection is called TVF, it’s not that far off from my childhood dream. Since moving to the East Coast two years ago for university, I’ve been closer to the DVF headquarters and gradually assumed a bigger and more official role within the company. Now is the perfect opportunity to insert a fresh, younger vibe into the brand, which I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of. I’m so happy to be a link to a generation of shoppers I think DVF hasn’t spoken to in a while.
TV: Were you super-hands-on in the creation process?
Talita: I was involved in every decision, so it was definitely intimidating at first, given that my team is so versed in the process and I was designing [and] providing the art direction and the inspiration for the first time. It was definitely a learning process, but one which truly ignited my love and passion to not only launch my first-ever capsule but continue to grow in the realm of design for the future.
TV: It seems like just the right amount of youth and sophistication. What was your inspiration for the collection?
Talita: The TVF girl sits within a younger, more contemporary demographic but is just as in charge as the DVF woman. My goal is that every girl who wears TVF looks and feels feminine and beautiful. When people wear TVF I want them to feel completely confident and comfortable. I designed TVF so that minimal styling was necessary. Fashion can be daunting, especially with the pressure of today’s world to have everything, from hair to makeup to accessories, absolutely perfect. I strived to create the collection so it’s an effortless absolute and that there’s a piece for everyone within the line. You can wear it so many ways and with everything you already have in your closet, for example a jean jacket and high tops or sandals and pretty earrings to dress it up.
TV: Are you studying fashion at Georgetown as well?
Talita: I’m majoring in Justice and Peace, which is essentially learning about the world’s conflicts and social injustices and discussing ways to create positive solutions and instilling peace that goes far beyond changing policy. The Justice and Peace Studies Program at Georgetown seemed to be the perfect way to learn how to make a difference. Although I am pursuing fashion as my career, philanthropy and activism will be a part of my life forever. I have looked up to my grandmother my whole life, and she has successfully leveraged her fashion empire to help and inspire many, many people. I hope to follow in her footsteps as a fashion designer and social activist. To be honest, it has been extremely challenging and hectic to balance both. I go back and forth between D.C. (for school) and New York (for work) every week, which is stressful but also completely worth it, because I get to pursue my two real interests in life: fashion and social justice.
TV: Aside from fashion and giving back, what else in the world inspires you creatively?
Talita: Nature. Everything in nature is beautiful and has a hidden print if you look at it for long enough! Collection 1 of TVF was inspired by my two favorite things: flowers and the sea. Flowers and the beach bring me so much joy and inspired most of the prints. Wearing something you like to look at makes it so easy to wear!
TV: What's one valuable lesson you learned about being a designer while creating the capsule collection?
Talita: Everything is about teamwork! I thankfully had an amazing team who were easy to work and communicate with. Constant dialogue is key because there are so many people involved in the design process, all making suggestions and encouraging various directions. The process of creating one garment goes through many phases; it can easily end up looking very different than the piece was intended to be in the beginning, so constantly following up and having transparency is necessary. It could have been easy to lose myself and my aesthetic in this process, but I wanted to make sure every piece was something I would personally want and love to wear. I learned to really trust myself and remain true to my style.
TV: What's next for you in the world of fashion design (and college), what can the world expect from Talita?
Talita: TVF for DVF will launch two collections a year (for Spring/Summer and for Fall)!
This interview has been edited and condensed.
Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.
Want more from Teen Vogue? Check this out: Diane von Furstenberg Hosts International Women’s Day Event to Empower Women in Fashion
