Timothy White/E!On Sunday's all-new episode of House of DVF, Tiffani Warkenthien was the second Global Brand Ambassador candidate to be sent home.
Every week, we'll be featuring a departure blog from the candidate who is sent home by Diane. Here, Tiffani shares her unheard thoughts and feelings, as well as a personal reflection of her House of DVF experience. Read below to to find out what Tiffani is up to today!
So there it is… My journey to become the DVF Brand Ambassador is over. Thankfully, the goal I set out for myself while entering this program was still accomplished. Although I am sad that I was not able to become the brand ambassador I still received a great opportunity and I am a "DVF Girl". I am a part of the DVF family and I am on my way to becoming the woman I want to be. I am extremely proud of myself for making it as far as I did, that I received this once in a lifetime opportunity, that I was able to build a genuine relationship with a woman everyone dreams of becoming, and that I had the chance to befriend the beautiful / inspirational souls that I've met throughout this journey.
Having the chance to meet and get to know Diane von Furstenberg was incredible. Of course the little "Lizzie McGuire" character in my head was fan girling out of control at first and I assumed she was going to be a little cold/mean but I couldn't have been more wrong. We connected from the moment we met each other. Don't ask me how or what it was but something just clicked, and I am so happy it did. Her ora is comforting and her vibe is genuine. She radiates such a pride and is everything that any woman would aim to be. She is someone that you want to build a solid connection with and I am happy I had the chance to.
Coming into this program I did not know a great deal about Diane or her brand. I sent in my application through a post I found on Craigslist and kept my fingers crossed. Although I didn't know much about DVF, I did know that I could bring something to the brand that no one would expect… a new look, a new demographic and a new view and understanding of how strongly Diane believes in empowering and inspiring young woman who want to be in the industry.
Looking back at the journey now I am not sure if I would have changed much but I definitely would have educated myself more on who Diane is and what her brand is about. I know this would have helped me make it further into the program. I am young; I don't have much experience in fashion other then working in retail and styling. So would I have changed anything about my performance? Probably not… I was still learning throughout my journey being here. I was myself and I was true to my knowledge and where I stand as a young woman stepping foot into the industry. Could I have been more confident? Of course. Could I have spoken up more? Yes. But as I said, I was learning and I feel it's sometimes better to just shut up and take everything in rather then come up with some nonsense out of the air that I know nothing about, and look stupid.
The biggest challenge I faced throughout this experience was dealing with my level of self confidence. My story was not really shared throughout my experience on the show because I did not want to tell it publicly or have anyone pity me, but my past has a lot to do with my confidence and I learned this throughout my experience here. I know that's not the best thing to say when you're speaking about work but I mean… it's true. One of many life lessons that Diane has taught me is more of a personal take away I received while reading her new book, "Don't dwell on the dark side of things, but look for the light and build around it. If one door closes, look for another one to open." "Never ever, blame others for what befalls you, no matter how horrible it might be. Trust you, and only you, to be responsible for your own life." – The Woman I Wanted To Be (page 7).
I am not going to sit here and say with pride that I did teach someone something or inspired anyone in anyway because, who knows I probably did not do that at all. But If I did then I am extremely happy and the only bit of advice I would give to anyone in a similar position would be to always stay true to yourself and true to who you are. NEVER put yourself down. Whether it is about your image, experience or knowledge because even if YOU don't see it or YOU don't think you can do it, remember that there are people out there that do believe YOU have "IT" and ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS go for what makes you happy.
What's next for me? Well… I am now DVF girl and will be beginning to work my way up the ladder. Fashion is definitely where I intend to be for the rest of my life, I know this is where I belong, where I feel happy and where I feel most comfortable. Do I know exactly where in fashion I want to be? No, but I am 20 years fresh and the journey of the rest of my life is just beginning. I am accepting all the keys that the Lord hands me along the way to open more doors to my future.
- "Listen, always listen. Most people at the beginnings of their lives don't know what they want to be unless you have a real vocation, like a pianist or a doctor, so it's important to listen. Sometimes there are doors that will open and you think it is not an important door and yet it is --- so it's very important to be curious and pay attention, because sometimes you learn and you don't even know you're learning." – DVF "The Woman I Wanted To Be"
Tune-in for an all-new episode of House of DVF this Sunday at 10/9c on E!