Friday, August 16, 2024. Nice summer weather here in the middle of August in New York. Warm, sunny days, less traffic (or so it seems) is kind of a vacation for everyone. Including so many of the astoundingly beautiful cloud systems moving through.
Spectacular at times with the masses of huge streaks, all white and soft and beautiful except they’re just clouds — that often look like an artist’s creations placed up there for us to see. For me it’s like looking at so much drama inviting you in to watch. As if someone is planning it. Up there in the blue.
And Friday is the perfect day for Lauren Lawrence’s Society Dreams. Today’s dream is that of Diane Von Furstenberg.
You’ve undoubtedly seen her image – even for years, even if you don’t know her. I know her only from her professional life. I was around back in the 1960s when she came on the scene with her first “wrap dress.” Princess von Furstenberg, if you will. And it was willed: A dress that was “wrapped” and was smart and casual at the same time.
She was also married to Prince Egon von Furstenberg, an exceptionally charming young prince enjoying the world. As a popular couple new on the New York scene, those first days must have been a merry-go-round of people, places, activities. And business. Diane’s wrap dress became a small industry; smart and affordable enough for every woman who liked to look sharp, casual and “fashionable.” That’s back when “looking” good was cool and chic.
Prince and Princess von Furstenberg were a very popular New York couple. They eventually divorced and now, and for quite a few years, she’s been married to Barry Diller. At this advanced age I don’t follow fashion with the same curiosity and interest I had back then.
Fashion is self-expression. Those days of hers were an UP. Now fashion is proletarian; it has quieted down. I don’t mean that in a critical way; it’s just the most appropriate term for the current (non)style that matches the mood among many of us. That’s what Fashion ultimately is: how we see ourselves.
Today’s “fashion” ultimately reminds you of another time, provided by her dream and Lauren’s analysis.
SOCIETY DREAMS: Diane von Furstenberg
by Lauren Lawrence
The Dream: I dreamt I was looking at an Egyptian temple with no roof. All the people I ever knew were making this temple. All the people were adding to it. I was looking at this very contentedly.
The Interpretation: Symbolically relevant, buildings represent the persona by housing the individual. As such, the Egyptian temple represents a majestic and exotic sense of self. Roofless, the temple affords an optimistic view of life: Diane can elevate as high as she wants without restriction, for the sky is the limit. The temple with no roof further reveals Diane’s open mindedness and accessibility, and underscores her free, liberated spirit, which is why she is content looking at this work in progress.
One understands that Diane is the work in process. The core of the dream leaves the visual impression that something is taking shape, something is in the making. Nothing is static because the dreamer is evolving. The dream reveals that the building blocks of life are based on companionship. The friends and family that make additions to the temple signify the importance of self-reinforcement gained through social interaction.
This social aspect is what solidifies structure, and is the architect of Diane’s life. The building process represents creative impulses. This buildup is also a commendation of sorts — a self-affirmation which reflects von Furstenberg’s constructive outlook.
Diana wishes to leave some iconic structure behind, an edifice, if you will, that will stand the test of time.
For private dream analysis, contact laurenlawrence@aol.com
