Who Is Diana Vreeland? Age, Biography and Wiki
Diana Vreeland, born on September 29, 1903, was an iconic American fashion columnist and editor whose legacy endures in the modern fashion landscape. Renowned for her unconventional style and visionary approach, Vreeland made her mark as the editor-in-chief of Vogue from 1962 to 1971. Her unapologetic embrace of creativity and boldness brought her acclaim and respect, establishing her as a pioneering figure in fashion journalism. She passed away on August 22, 1989, but her influence is still felt today.
| Occupation | Journalist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 29, 1903 |
| Age | 85 Years |
| Birth Place | Paris, France |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | France |
| Date of death | 22 August, 1989 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Diana Vreeland's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Diana Vreeland stood at an elegant height of approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm). Though specific weight details are not widely available, she was known for her slender yet poised figure, often accentuated by her distinctive fashion choices. Her style was characterized by a keen eye for color, texture, and form, making her a trendsetter in her era.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her life, Vreeland was known for her private nature when it came to personal relationships. However, she was married to Reed Vreeland, a successful businessman, from 1923 until his death in 1966. Together, they shared two sons. There is little publicly available information about any relationships she may have had after her husband's passing, as Vreeland focused primarily on her illustrious career in fashion.
Born Diana Dalziel in Paris in 1903, she lived at 5 avenue du Bois-de-Boulogne (known as Avenue Foch post-World War I). Vreeland was the eldest daughter of an American socialite mother, Emily Key Hoffman, and a British stockbroker father, Frederick Young Dalziel.
Hoffman was a descendant of George Washington's brother, as well as a cousin of Francis Scott Key. She was also a distant cousin of writer and socialite Pauline de Rothschild (née Potter). Vreeland had one younger sister, Alexandra (1907-1999), who later married Sir Alexander Davenport Kinloch, 12th Baronet (1902–1982).
Their daughter Emily Lucy Kinloch married Lt.-Col. Hon. Hugh Waldorf Astor (1920–1999), the second son of John Jacob Astor, 1st Baron Astor of Hever and his wife, Lady Violet Mary Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing, Diana Vreeland had an estimated net worth that reflected her esteemed position in the fashion industry. While specific figures are elusive, it is believed that she accumulated a significant fortune through her various roles in fashion editing, consulting, and other fashion-related endeavors. Her influence in setting trends and shaping public opinion regarding style undoubtedly contributed to her financial success.
In spite of being extremely successful, Diana Vreeland was paid a relatively small salary by the Hearst Corporation, which owned Harper's Bazaar. Vreeland said that she was paid $18,000 a year from 1936 with a $1,000 raise, finally, in 1959. She speculated that newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst's castle in San Simeon, California, "must have been where the Hearst money went".
Career, Business and Investments
Diana Vreeland's career was marked by her role as the editor of some of the most prestigious fashion magazines, including Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. Her tenure at Vogue was particularly noteworthy, as she transformed the magazine into a powerhouse of fashion journalism. Beyond writing and editing, Vreeland ventured into television, creating the acclaimed series "The Fashion Show."
In addition to her media roles, Vreeland also embraced consulting, working with prominent fashion houses and brands to elevate their marketing strategies. Her keen insights into consumer taste and trend forecasting made her a sought-after advisor throughout the industry.
Vreeland began her publishing career in 1936 as columnist for Harper's Bazaar. Harper's Bazaar is a fashion magazine that women of every age can use as a style resource. It covers what's new to what's next on the work of stylists, photographers, and designers.
Its editor, Carmel Snow, had been so impressed with Vreeland's style and attire that she asked her to work at the magazine. From 1936 until her resignation, Diana Vreeland ran a column for Harper's Bazaar called "Why Don't You...?,"full of random, imaginative suggestions.
For example, she wrote, "Why don't you...Turn your child into an Infanta for a fancy-dress party?" According to Vreeland, "The one that seemed to draw the most attention was [...] "[Why Don't You] [w]ash your blond child's hair in dead champagne, as they do in France?" Vreeland says that S. J.
Perelman's subsequent parody of it for The New Yorker magazine outraged her then-editor, Carmel Snow.
Social Network
Diana Vreeland's social influence extended to various platforms during her lifetime, both in print and in person. While she did not have social media in the modern sense, her connections with high-profile figures in fashion, art, and society created a vast network that bolstered her career. Today, her legacy continues to resonate through social media, where fashion enthusiasts and historians share her work and celebrate her remarkable impact on the industry.
Vreeland's family emigrated to the United States at the outbreak of World War I, moving to 15 East 77th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York City, where they became prominent society figures.
Vreeland was sent to dancing school as a pupil of Michel Fokine, the only Imperial Ballet master ever to leave Russia, and later of Louis Harvy Chalif. She performed in Anna Pavlova's Gavotte at Carnegie Hall. In January 1922, she was featured in the pages of her future magazine, Vogue, in a roundup of socialites and their cars.
The story read, "Such motors as these accelerate the social whirl. Miss Diana Dalziel, one of the most attractive debutantes of the winter, is shown entering her Cadillac."
Education
Diana Vreeland was educated at the prestigious National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. She later attended the New School for Social Research in New York City, where she honed her understanding of art and design. This formal education, combined with her insatiable curiosity and creativity, equipped her with the tools she needed to revolutionize the world of fashion.
