We’re looking forward to introducing you to Diane Gilman. Check out our conversation below.
Diane, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
It impossible not to blend all 3 points together!
I am always seeking to learn, so intelligence is a key factor for me to stay engaged and inspired.
I always “feel” and “read” the energy in any situation. Is it dark and muddy? Is it light, bright, and full of potential? So energy is a constant and the ”compass” guiding my everyday life.
Integrity is a prerequisite for any relationship or venture I enter at this stage of my life. I seek truth and authenticity to be my truly best self for everyone around me.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Let me introduce myself, I’m fashion designer, Diane Gilman, fondly crowned “The Queen Of Jeans” by my loyal and affectionate QVC/HSN fan base.
I remained #1 international tele-retail fashion personality for over 30 years on-air, of a 50-year fashion career that began in the early 1970’s. One simple “light bulb moment” in 2004, at the age of 60, forever changed denim and the lives of millions of middle-aged women who felt forgotten and abandoned by the fashion industry. We reinvented the classic denim jean with a unique set of measurements dedicated to the midlife female body, completely different from industry standards. My audience responded immediately, and we shot up on a crazy sales trajectory to $100 million at retail, and we stayed there for years.
Once I saw my idea work in the US, I took my idea international- the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Australia. And everywhere we premiered, we shot to #1 almost immediately. No matter the country, mature women appreciated a jean that didn’t fight their body but was molded to it. Two decades later the DG2 Jean is still a fashion favorite, having sold nearly 24 million jeans to date.
Now, I’ve taken that same philosophy that guided me through decades in fashion, helping women over 50 feel seen, confident, and beautiful; and expanded it into a broader mission. Today, I’m the proud host of three podcasts: Too Young to Be Old, Fashion Thursdays with Diane, and The 80/40 Factor. Each show is dedicated to empowering women to age boldly, live authentically, and embrace every stage of life.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
“I can’t not be who I am” -Jamie Lee Curtis
I recently read this quote and instantly realized this was my mantra.
I was born into purpose and passion for fashion design. It was 1945, there was no such thing as a ‘career woman,’ yet that’s exactly who I longed to be. My family was appalled. They felt that a woman’s fate. Their idea was narrow and simple- girls married, had children and stayed home. I couldn’t be that vision, and they couldn’t expand their expectations. So rather than lead a life that was so wrong for me, but so expected, I left home at an early age to pursue what I knew was my destiny.
Growing up, I never caved in to social norms, and I cannot remember a time when everyone around me understood or agreed with my path. Still, it was so worth it to pursue my dreams authentically and honestly.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
My defining wound was my parent’s complete rejection of my dreams and the refusal to appreciate or nurture my talent.
Let me give you an example, I excelled in languages (as well as art) and had a great high school French teacher who secretly applied me to the Sorbonne for languages and fashion. He secured me a 4-year scholarship and was going to present this to me as a senior graduation present. My parents intervened, set the acceptance letter on fire, and never told me. It wasn’t until the age of 50 when I was attending my father’s memorial service that it was accidentally told to me. I was devastated.
This scholarship would have changed my youth. The chance to live in Paris and to be taught by world renown professors would have turbocharged my fashion career and molded my talent into a higher level of sophistication. This was just one of many egregious blockades my family constructed to keep from achieving my dreams.
Imagine how deep these wounds go and you will understand I am still working on the healing process. I have long since abandoned trying to understand how a parent could do something so cruel and destructive to their only child. All I can do is work on vacating the anger and resentment and replace it with understanding and even love. I’m still a work in progress.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
My personal silent battle cry, “Never give up, never give in” and “It is never too late to pursue your dreams.”
People rarely understand why I am still working so hard at 80 years old, or why I stepped away from what I knew for over half a century, fashion, and why I care so much about achievements and success, nor do I particularly feel the need to explain.
This is who I am and herein lies my legacy. Hopefully the results are explanation enough. I prefer to let my actions speak for me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Ha! I just turned 80 years old, so this question is tailor made for me.
I would stop wasting time. Even a minute.
At this point in my life, time is my most precious commodity. I focus all my energy toward putting every moment to good use, to freeing myself from negativity and anger, to spreading joy and light in such dark times, and to stop stressing over minor pettiness. Actually, having a limited amount of time can force us to adopt great clarity and heightened spiritual purpose. Mine is to give back in gratitude.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thedianegilman.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thedianegilman
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/thedianegilman
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thedianegilman
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