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Von Fürstenberg Fashion and Philanthropy

Annual Trunk Show Charity Returns to Sun Valley

Last Thursday, July 12th, Panache Boutique in Sun Valley had what Newsweek declared “the most marketable woman since Coco Chanel” sipping champagne and walking around the store, giving fashion advice to patrons.  The famed Belgian-American fashion designer, Diane von Fürstenberg (DVF), together with Kathy Crosson, owner of Panache, held an afternoon trunk show of her pre-fall collection to support the Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research.

The annual trunk show philanthropy, now on its seventh year running, donates 10% of all proceeds to a new charity every year.  In the past, they’ve given to the Special Olympics World Winter Games and American Cancer Society's Camp Rainbow Gold, said owner Kathy, and this year they got together with Amy Cohen-Epstein, daughter of the late Lynne Cohen, to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.  “My mother was always a very philanthropic woman,” says Amy, who is now the President and Executive Director of the foundation.  “After she was diagnosed, she became active in ovarian cancer research.  When she died, my brother, two older sisters and I decided that we wanted to continue educating people about ovarian cancer in her memory.”  They now have four clinics throughout the US, including one in New York for women without health insurance, and thousands of patients.

The trunk show itself had an impressive turnout—all of the female fashionistas of Sun Valley came to scour the discounted racks, sip champagne, stand in the shadow of towering models and, yes, even get their dresses "blessed."  It’s true...  With a spritz of perfume and a few solemn words, the dress belonging to attendee and long-time DVF-lover, Andrea Perrin, was made holy by a fashion god.  Diane also told her how wonderful she looked in the dress.  “Diane von Fürstenberg telling you you look good in one of her dresses means you can die happy,” said Andrea.   

Besides being in the presence of a style icon, shoppers could also be happy that their fine piece of fabric was helping ovarian cancer research for women.  Like Diane says, and in the true spirit of the trunk show, "Be the woman you want to be."    

For more information about the Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research and to find out how to donate, visit here.  For information about next year's DVF trunk show, check out the Panache Events Blog.