Diana Vreeland, an Icon in Fashion and Taste Whose Legend Lives On

Diana Vreeland was born in France in 1903 to a prominent family in society. As World War I was brewing, her family emigrated to New York City. They moved to
the Upper East Side and became socially prominent here as well. Diana was raised with the proper upbringing of a debutante and was even featured in Vogue Magazine as one of the most beautiful debutantes of New York City.
actually do what they wanted. For a time Ali McGraw was her assistant. Mrs. Vreeland was known for orchestrating phenomenally expensive photo shoots all
over the world. After days shooting in a foreign spot, she was known to reject all of the photos that took so much time and money to create.

In 1924 Diana married Thomas Reed Vreeland, a banker. They moved to Brewster New York where they began raising their two sons. Diana became estranged from her mother in 1929 after a societal scandal implicated her mother in an affair. That same year, the Vreelands moved to London where they would remain until 1935.
While in London, Diana led a charmed life, often traveling to Paris to shop, or other beautiful cities, as only the rich would do. She shopped at all of the Designer boutiques and was known for her fashion sense. Upon moving back to the United States, she was asked by the editor of Harper’s Bazaar to work for the Magazine. In 1936 Diana started a column entitled “Why Don’t You?”. As perhaps only someone from a privileged life could do, she made it her credo to be anything but normal. The “Why Don’t You” was inspirational writing about how women can and should make themselves into whatever they want”. Perhaps the beginning of “women’s lib.? During this time Diana is also noted for “discovering” the actress Lauren Bacall.
In 1962, Diana moved to Vogue Magazine and became the Editor in Chief until 1971. During her tenure at Vogue, Diana consulted with the rich and famous, including Jaqueline Kennedy while she was First Lady. She introduced Jackie to the designer Oleg Cassini who became the predominant designer while she was in the White House.
While at Vogue, Diana was credited with almost discovering Twiggy. The ’60′s were a wonderful time for Diana as culture was becoming freer for women to

In 1971, when Vogue was sold, Diana was fired. This unlucky event turned out to be a most fortuitous fluke of luck yet. The most successful and influential part of her career was begun as the Director of the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute. Not surprisingly, Diana shook things up while at the helm of this position as well, and  a new dimension of her brilliance was revealed. Her first show was on Cristobal Balenciago. The show drew more than 150,000 people to the museum which smashed all records previously held. Everyone was amazed, including the Metropolitan Museum.Again another legacy of Diana Vreeland was created at the Exhibition of the Metropolitan Museum.   

Diana modeling in front of a mannequin wearing Balenciaga in 1973