Dynasty piqued his interest in fashion
“I got into clothes as a teenager from watching Dynasty,” he told the South China Morning Post in 2008. “My parents were also the organisers of Live Aid so when they did Fashion Aid in 1985 [at the Royal Albert Hall] I remember seeing the Armani show and how beautiful it was, especially the long sequined fishtail skirts. From that moment on I knew I wanted to do fashion.”
Galliano was one of his first teachers
Jenden gave up his place at the prestigious Oxford University in favour of Central Saint Martins. After graduation, the Londoner followed up with a masters at the Royal College of Art,“because I didn’t know how to sew when I left Central Saint Martins,” he confessed to Michael Hertz during a Fashion Business Club meeting in 2009. After working with John Galliano, he headed to Paris with Kenzo before departing for New York to become design director of ‘90s cult brand Daryl K. In 2001 he joined Diane von Furstenberg as creative director, where he remained for a decade, departing only to focus on his namesake brand and, most recently, serving as creative director of American mall brand Bebe.
He didn’t know who Diane von Furstenberg was at first
In conversation with Herz, Jenden admitted to not knowing who the designer – famous for marrying a prince, divorcing him, building a fashion empire in her 20s and rebuilding it in her 50s, all while partying with everyone from Salvador Dali to Jade Jagger – was in 2001. “Diane called me, [and] I said to her, ‘I don’t really know who you are and I haven’t really heard of you,’” he recalls saying. “She interviewed me but didn’t ask me my name. We went backwards and forwards. “[Then] we [Jenden’s wife] went to dinner with her – Blondie and Vanity Fair had thrown the dinner [party] – and I thought that this might be quite good.”
Despite that, they grew close and are clearly very fond of one another
He and von Furstenberg have become great friends since. “It is with joy and pride that I look forward to welcoming Nathan back,” she said in the statement confirming his appointment. Emphasis on the joy. Von Furstenberg and Jenden have a history of exchanging kind words about one another. “He is young and talented, I am old and experienced,” she told The Guardian in 2003, a sentiment she repeated with the news of his appointment. “Nathan is an extremely talented and technically skillful designer who also has a great gift at surrounding himself with young, emerging talent.” Jenden likewise is full of praise for von Furstenberg. Speaking to WWD in 2010, he said: “Diane taught me a talent for life, and how to live your life to the fullest, and how to maximise it… and to do it with a smile.”
Despite his role at DVF, he wanted to make a name for himself
Launched in 2006, Jenden’s own collection was heavy on the DVF spirit, with bold prints and plenty of party dressing. It was a long time in the making. From his university days, he aspired to build his own brand: “When I finally told Diane that I wanted to do it, she was wary,” he told Drapers in 2007, “but this is something I have always wanted. I realised that I wasn’t getting any younger.” Ultimately, she supported him, often spotted cheering him on, front-row center – even after they had parted professionally, and he moved his show from New York to London. Jenden will certainly find the storied American brand changed since he last designed for it. Thankfully, we won’t have to wait long to discover his vision: his first collection will be shown next month at New York Fashion Week.Read more at:princess formal dresses | vintage formal dresses