Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/786768
MIX MASTER WITH A CONFIDENT, PRINT-CENTRIC SPRING COLLECTION, JONATHAN SAUNDERS DEBUTS AS DVF'S FIRST-EVER CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER. BY BRYN KENNY The name Diane von Furstenberg evokes a rush of unique attributes: femininity, empowerment, confidence, grace. It also conjures New York itself. So when designer Jonathan Saunders presented his first collection for the iconic brand for Spring/Summer 2017, many wondered how a man from Scotland might interpret the vision of a worldly New York woman. The answer, it turns out, is quite successfully. "I saw it straight away— that effortless sense of ease, femininity without being too girly or frou-frou, sensuality, and a provoca- tive nature," says Saunders, 39, who built his name in London with his epony- mous, print-heavy collection (which shuttered in late 2015 after 12 years in business), and who is now Diane von Furstenberg's first creative head not named Diane von Furstenberg. "Textiles, and printed textiles in general, were always something I loved, so there is a definite synergy between what I stand for and what the brand stands for." PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIMI FRANKLIN (CLOTHING DETAIL); COURTESY OF DVF (PORTRAIT, HANDBAG) "Printed textiles were always something I loved, so there is a definite synergy," says Jonathan Saunders of his interpretation of the iconic DVF brand. LEFT, FROM TOP: Circle shoulder handbag, Diane von Furstenberg ($298); colorful details from the Spring 2017 collection. MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM 65 STYLE OF THE CIT Y