good wishes for 5776

Happy 5776! It is always a pleasure to follow the activities of Diane von Furstenberg, and the series on DvF is fascinating. I am thrilled to have been sent a copy of her memoir in 2008.

I was so thrilled to get a copy of the memoir by Diane von Furstenberg, after writing to say I was sorry for being so rude to Barry Diller whom I oft saw riding his bike in Central Park in the 1990s. I was usually involved in debriefing myself prior to my work then with homeless women havinguntreated psychiatric issues in a shelter we created. From 2008 through 2013, I shared the book and my critique of her memoir as a research method with my graduating seniors in my Methods of Research cours in midtown Manhattan. I also shared her memoir with my Columbia University School of Social Work students. The students generally loved the real life challenges and opportunities and themes! Many of my students work(ed) in fashion. I am always amazed how much love there is for DvF! Thank you!

Having once lived for almost 30 years between Horatio Street and West 39th street (including 488 7th Ave), I have known many garmentos, seen Ms Von Furstenberg and Mr. Diller. My first social work job was organizing small businesses for a coalition including the old Hatter's Union in the early 1980s! My comrade Gale Brewer is now the Borough President of Manhattan. We all admire DvF's involvement in the life and zeitgeist of New York City, and the world. I admire the hard work, so many demands, determination , and most of all the spirit of good will and caring, and bringing beauty in our world! These are rare qualities, thank you.I

I am now on social setcurity disability, homebound, and have to use a rollator to get around. I have been unable to really get around Manhattan since 2013 and have yet to even see the HighLine whilst spending years with a life on Horatio and Washington. I hope to soon enough. Thoughts for the future this first of 5776

Zwart Piet en Sinterklass brought me...

I fantasized if Zwart Piet en Sinterklass would get to me this jahre! The post came and... Wow! "Diane: a signature life"!
During the last Project Runway season, I wrote to Diane von Furstenberg about the value of garmentos to NYC, as well as my adventures walking Kim, a dog I took care of in the West Village, by here first W Village boutique. And, I wrote about my general wierdness often running into Barry Diller in my across Central Park to/from work in the 1990s. (my usual preoccupation with work dramas as I walked from the subway to work or back).
What a read and in only 6 hours! Thoughts of Emmanuel Levinas post Shoah... procreate is the best revenge! The zeitgeist of the 70s/80s/90s in NYC. (Such geist! My buddy Issac who once had a radio show on WBAI lost most of his memorabilia from that time. I sent him one of the Keith Haring interview posters, posted in this blog!) The challenges and the really hard work in the garmento world! her loves and opportunities as well as the story of an empowering woman! Wow!
I shared the book with my methods of research class. We had just discussed memoir as a method last week. (I had also shared my friend Sindiwe Magona's book... among the first of her at least 39 books now in print!) And, of course, a favorite, powerful memoir by my former instructor Ann Burack-Weiss on caregiving! The students were impressed by von Furstenberg's memoir (or my spin on it).
Sending a thanks to Diane von Furstenberg! I am blown away by her generosity! Such a mensch!
I am also sending along link to the video I made on my Mom, thanked for her advocacy and listening to people with mental health issues.
Most of all, it is always a big joy to know people like von Furstenberg are in our world! I also very much appreciated the comments by her friend Barry Diller recently on the economic crisis in our world. Poignant thoughts.
Big thanks to her! many hugs, peace and compassion