Woman in Charge” with Fabiola Beracasa Beckman

The new documentary film “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge” opened Tribeca on Wednesday, offering an unprecedented look at the non-stop life of the designer, entrepreneur and cultural icon. 

Fabiola Beracasa Beckman, the creative force and executive producer behind the much-anticipated documentary, said it has been a long-held dream of hers to bring DVF’s journey to the screen.

“I’ve had the concept of sharing her full life story in my mind and on my vision board for a long time. One could say I’ve been manifesting this possibility,” said Beracasa Beckman.

“DVF is the embodiment of perseverance, grace, and femininity but she’s also a bad ass! She gives women permission to be their authentic selves and as a storyteller I’ve always firmly believed you have to see it to be it and what better role model than DVF?”

From the moment Beracasa Beckman received DVF’s blessing to proceed, she embarked on an exhaustive journey, gathering materials and assembling an all-female team to bring this project to life. The result is a deeply moving showcase of DVF’s life, capturing the essence of a woman who has continually inspired generations with her strength and grace.

In the documentary, DVF reflects on her career ahead of the wrap dress’s 50th anniversary and her career retrospective exhibit, “Woman Before Fashion,” currently on display at the Fashion & Lace Museum in Brussels. But beyond fashion, Beracasa Beckman says that one of the underlining message throughout the documentary is that “fear is not an option”. 

“DVF says this all the time and it’s something her mother, Lily, taught her from an early age. We want viewers to walk away with this mantra in their heads. It’s important to live life to its fullest and not allow fear to steer the ship and get in the way from realizing your true self. Without fear, you can learn to be unapologetic for who you are.” 

Beracasa Beckman is no stranger to impactful storytelling. As a documentarian, film and television producer, human rights activist, and philanthropist, she has dedicated her career to amplifying powerful narratives. The founder of PARTICLE Projects, an independent multimedia company, Beracasa Beckman has been a pivotal figure in the arts and fashion industries, consulting for esteemed designers and brands, and producing acclaimed documentaries such as “Meat Me Halfway” and “The First Monday in May.”

In an exclusive conversation with Beracasa Beckman, FashionNetwork.com delves into the journey of creating “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman in Charge,” and the significance of this documentary in today’s cultural landscape.

FashionNetwork.com: Can you describe the process of obtaining DVF’s blessing to proceed with the documentary? How did you convince her to trust you with her story?

Fabiola Beracasa Beckman: In 2017, I made a deck of films I wished to make and DVF was at the top of my list. Over the next few years, I brought female directors to meet with DVF in the hopes she’d agree. She never did and year after year I kept insisting and just as I was giving up hope, DVF came to me and said I’m ready to do a documentary on my life, and I want you to produce it with the director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.

FN: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the production of this documentary?

FBB: Working on multiple continents, across time zones and coordinating schedules of so many influential people created a massive puzzle for us to solve. In addition, how to pare down all the amazing archival material as we were really spoiled for choice, since DVF has saved everything.

FN: DVF has always been a trailblazer in the fashion industry. How does the documentary capture her influence on contemporary fashion and future trends?

FBB: DVF’s business transcends traditional fashion businesses because it represents freedom for women and positive impact in the world. Doing good is always in style.

FN: What are some of the most surprising or lesser-known aspects of DVF’s life that viewers will discover in the documentary?

FBB: DVF has lived a very public life, but what many people don’t often realize is that she’s the child of holocaust survivors and integrated herself into boardrooms and business meetings that at the time were male dominated. She was unapologetically female in the business world. She used her femininity almost as a secret weapon and her ability to never give up and believe in herself and what she was doing, made all the difference. 

FN: What aspects of DVF’s life and career do you feel are most important for audiences to learn from and why?

FBB: It’s critical that viewers, especially women and girls see the empowerment that DVF showcased in her career and continues to carry with her today. Being unique is never bad, embrace it. As women we’re often told we can’t exist in contradictions we’re either a housewife or a businesswoman, we’re either a seductress or an entrepreneur, and DVF shows us we can confidently be all those things at once. And I hope women and girls can sit comfortably in the breadth of their abilities without compromise.

FN: How does the documentary address DVF’s impact on gender equality and women’s issues?

FBB: The film highlights how DVF fought to be in the room. She stood her ground and created something extraordinary. She was never ashamed of her gender; she made it her mission to create fashion “armor” for women everywhere – highly functional, sleek, and flattering fashion.  It was her resilience and determination that contributed to her success. She never let her gender hold her back.

FN: How do you think this documentary will contribute to the conversation around women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship?

FBB: I hope it lights a fire within hearts and stomachs to try something new and different and that it demonstrates how important support, encouragement, friendships and love are throughout our lives. DVF broke down corporate doors to allow others to enter the conversation at the boardroom table. She demanded to be taken seriously and she is a prime example of how her gender is an asset. Women need to lift each other up and see each other succeed. Seeing what DVF envisioned, what she built, what she nurtures, even today….it’s incredible and maybe this will be the push someone watching needs to go out and live their best life.

FN: With the film coming to HULU on June 25, what kind of audience reach are you hoping to achieve, and what impact do you hope it will have on viewers?

FBB: I hope it reaches all women and girls and the men that love them. Many people only think of “The Wrap Dress,” when you hear of DVF. My vision and my hope is that viewers walk away knowing so much more about the actual woman, her contributions, advocacy, and support of women. She’s a visionary, who is outspoken, she stands by her beliefs and is true to her convictions. She’s broken through so many glass ceilings so those women and girls behind her can reach new heights.