Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s next documentary is based on legendary fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg
Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the two-time Academy winning documentary filmmaker, will be directing a new documentary based on the life of Diane von Fürstenberg, the influential fashion designer who popularised the women’s wrap dress. The new documentary will release on Hulu.
Obaid-Chinoy, who previously made documentaries Saving Face and A Girl in the River, will direct the new documentary along with Trish Dalton. The date of release and title of the feature-length documentary has yet to be announced.
The film will explore the life and career of von Fürstenberg, who managed to succeed in creating a multi-million-dollar fashion empire in a male-dominated industry. It will use archival footage as well as intimate interviews, according to Variety.
The now 76-year-old fashion designer was born in Belgium to Holocaust survivors and started designing clothes for women around 1970, a year after she married Prince Egon von Fürstenberg. Later in 1983, the two got divorced and she moved to New York where her company’s flagship store is located.
Her designs have been worn by a number of influential women, from Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton to Gwyneth Paltrow, Madonna and Whitney Houston.
“I first met DVF [Diane von Fürstenberg] in 2012 and was immediately drawn to her remarkable story… For the better part of the last year, Trish my co-directing partner, and I have been embedded in her world, combing through her archives and charting her journey & we are excited to share it with the world! Working with an incredible all-women team,” the Saving Face director wrote on Instagram.
Referred to the designer as a “true legend” by the official logline, her post adds, “Through sheer determination, she overcame any challenge thrown her way, including sexism, the perils of immigrating to America, industry highs and lows, a public divorce and even a bout with cancer.”
“We feel strongly that Diane’s story of perseverance and global leadership needs to be shared now more than ever,” Obaid-Chinoy and Dalton said. “Over the last 50 years, she has fiercely triumphed, shattered glass ceilings and opened doors for women everywhere… all while living life on her own terms. We hope that this story inspires the next generation.”
The documentary will be produced by Sutter Road Picture Company and Particle Projects. Additional producers include Fabiola Beracasa Beckman, Tracy Aftergood, Obaid-Chinoy and Sean Stuart.
