Throwback Thursday - Kathy Ireland

A few years back I attended a wedding industry convention where Kathy Ireland was the featured speaker. At that point, the only thing I associated Kathy Ireland with was being a former Sports Illustrated swimwear model. After she spoke, Kathy Ireland was my new role model.


She spoke of starting what is now a business empire with a line of socks. She talked about sleeping in airports and of successes and failures and moments that seemed like they were crushing, and about climbing back up and starting over again.  She was genuine, engaging, receptive to the audience and someone who I gained a massive amount of respect for very quickly. Today, "Kathy Ireland Worldwide" averages two billion dollars in annual sales, even outselling many other famous brands with more name recognition, such as Martha Stewart. Her company markets more than 15,000 products, including furniture, children's items, home accents and jewelry.  In 2012, Forbes featured her on the cover with the title of "Supermodel Supermogul." Global License Magazine lists Kathy Ireland Worldwide the 28th most powerful global brand out of 150, outranking well known brand names such as Hershey, Coca-Cola, Caterpillar and Harley- Davidson.

In addition to her business sense, Kathy Ireland is also devoted to her philanthropic efforts, stating "Getting involved and giving back doesn’t have to take a lot of time. There is always something you can do."

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/worklifebalancingact/2010/12/kathy-ireland-control-freak-or-passionate-about-work.html#storylink=cpy

Today's Throwback Thursday takes a look back at Kathy Ireland, the supermodel, before she became Kathy Ireland - the Super Mogul (and one of my favorite role models!)

 Teen Magazine (now defunct)

Danskin ad,1987

Shape Magazine cover

Sharper Image catalog

One of many Sports Illustrated covers

Italian Vogue cover

Kathy Ireland today - Super Mogul

Forbes Magazine

"I'm a curious person. I like to ask questions. Well, why? People would say, it's never been done. It's never been done does not mean that it can't be done." - Kathy Ireland

Throwback Thursday - Diane Von Furstenberg

With Diane Von Furstenberg's new show "House of DVF" premiering on E! this week, it's only fitting that this week's "Throwback Thursday" should feature this style icon.

Ms. Von Furstenberg made a name for herself in the 1970's, with a jersey wrap dress that became so popular, it quickly sold over a million pieces. The mad rush to acquire these dresses is understandable - they're insanely comfortable, easy to wear and really flattering. Currently, you can find  DVF wrap dresses for around $335 online and new. However, if you don't have an extra $300 lying around but you can still splurge just a little bit, a vintage DVF wrap dress averages around $100 on Etsy.

The success of the DVF wrap dress led to an incredible amount of success - clothing, cosmetics, fragrances, sunglassses, luggage and even a publishing house.

In 2012 Diane was named the most powerful woman in fashion by Forbes and today, the DVF brand is sold in 55 countries and has 98 shops worldwide.

"The truth is, my religion is truth," Diane tells us. "That's what I practice. And it's a big job to practice truth. But if you do it every day, it's like pruning a tree, it's wonderful." - Diane Von Furstenberg

"I always wanted to be a femme fatale. Even when I was a young girl, I never really wanted to be a girl. I wanted to be a woman." - Diane Von Furstenberg

"You can have a good time and still empower women. My mission in life is to empower women..." - Diane Von Furstenberg

"Be yourself, not an imitation" - Diane Von Furstenberg