Fashion icon writes book about industry's top designers
NEW YORK (WABC) -- A new book provides a unique look at a fashion icon's candid conversations with some top designers.
Fern Mallis is a fashion industry mainstay, and a few years ago, she started hosting a series of in-depth interviews which are part of the book.
"I'm still shell-shocked, I'm verklempt," said Fern, something that rarely happens to her. "I need a tissue," she said.
She's the Jeter of the fashion world, the reason why there's Fashion Week in New York City.
And so it made total sense that so many giants came to Saks for the launch of what's been a labor of love for Fern.
16 windows now showcase her new book, "Fashion Lives", an intimate look at icons in the industry.
"It was never my master plan, my life just rolls and that's what I love about it," said Fern.
The book is based on her in-depth interviews from the 92nd Street Y.
They are the transcripts from the series and rare, candid photos: Oscar de la Renta as a teenager, Donna Karan's baby picture, and Tommy Hilfiger.
"I said I want the shoe box under your bed, I want the pictures your mother kept," said Mallis.
Fern digs deep, peels back the layers of each of the 19 featured designers.
"I asked Calvin Klein, I said you grew up in the Bronx, I know it wasn't in a minimal apartment, what did your mother's apartment look like,?" she said.
No question was off limits: "Asking about additions, asking about meltdown, asking about the bankruptcy, asking about the crazies, these people have fascinating lives and careers," said Fern.
People like designer Diana Von Furstenberg, pictured with her husband in 1971. She tells me she's honored to be part of this.
"She knows the business, has a passion for it and she knows how to get what she wants," said Von Furstenberg.
It took about a year to pull the project together. Fern's already working on volume two.
"How did this affect you?", we asked. "You're going to make me cry..it's really been a joy and I'm so proud of this," she said.
In this web extra, Kemberly Richardson has an extended interview with the book's author, Fern Mallis.
