Natalia Vodianova must have wonderful convincing powers.
For the rest of the world, it goes without saying that a retrospective of Diane von Furstenberg’s life would be a brilliant and engaging experience, but the designer wasn’t so sure. Natalia convinced her otherwise. “She said, ‘You know, people are fascinated by that,’” Diane admitted. Thanks to Natalia, the first DVF retrospective, “Journey of a Dress,” will open later in October and run through November 21 at the Manezh exhibition hall near the Red Square in Russia. André Leon Talley lent his curating skills to the exhibit, which features 50 dresses, art from Andy Warhol, Francesco Clemente, Ann Duong, Helmut Newton, and Horst, along with Diane’s personal items. “You basically travel through my life in 35 years. It’s going to be old and new, vintage and now.” It’s quite appropriate that Natalia would be the one model to convince DVF to celebrate her history in Russia, as the designer’s father is from Russia, and of course Miss Vodianova has a long-standing affection for her homeland.
