The collection contains professional, personal and family papers documenting Vreeland's life and career as one of the most influential fashion editors and trendsetters of the 20th century. Vreeland died in 1989, in New York City after a long period of illness. Among her Costume Institute triumphs were 'The World of Balenciaga' in 1972 and 'Romantic and Glamorous Hollywood Design' in 1974.ĭuring the 1980s, Vreeland published two books, Allure (co-authored with Christopher Hemphill) and her autobiography, D.V. Under her guidance and patronage, the Costume Institute would launch several spectacular exhibits that attracted the social elite and received high profile publicity. She was replaced as editor-in-chief in 1971, retaining the position of consultant.ĭuring the final stage in her very long career, Vreeland revived the dormant Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, her personal style and extravagant spending conflicted with the priorities of the magazine's publisher. She put her own personal stamp on the magazine and continued to make headlines in the fashion and business world. Vreeland is credited with shaping the image of the magazine and, in turn, the looks of thousands of women.' (New York Times, March 28, 1962).Īt Vogue, she quickly rose to the position of editor-in-chief. Along with the late Carmel Snow, editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, Mrs. Her appearance at a fashion show is a the highest accolade a designer can hope for. Vreeland is the most respected editor in the fashion business today. In an article in the New York Times announcing Vreeland's appointment as associate editor, Carrie Donovan wrote, 'Mrs. Vreeland's next career move was to Vogue, the leading rival of Harper's Bazaar. She resigned in March of 1962, disappointed that she was not asked to succeed Carmel Snow as editor-in-chief. In 1937, Vreeland was hired for the as fashion editor and she remained at Harper's Bazaar for twenty-five years. After the Vreelands returned to the United States, she began writing a freelance column 'Why don't you?' for Harper's Bazaar. From the late 1920s to the mid-1930s, she ran a small lingerie business in London. and Frederick Dalziel.Īlthough born into a wealthy and socially prominent family, Vreeland worked for most of her life. The Vreeland marriage produced two sons, Thomas Reed, Jr. In 1924, she married Thomas Reed Vreeland (1899-1906), a banker and international financier. She was born Diana Dalziel in Paris in 1903, the daughter of British stockbroker Frederick Young Dalziel and Emily Key Hoffman, an American. Diana Vreeland, renowned editor-in-chief of Vogue, and fashion editor of Harper's Bazaar, was a dominant force in the fashion industry of the mid-twentieth century.

D.V. by Diana Vreeland