Feminism. For Diana Kane, it’s more than a movement, it’s a way of life.
She is proud to call herself a feminist; it’s what motivated her to gather three busloads of Brooklynites at her Diana Kane Boutique on Fifth Avenue in Park Slope — at 4 am on a cold January morning — for the ride to the Women’s March on Washington, D.C.
One of the more popular items sold on her website, www.diana
“It is my deepest pleasure to bring people together around common goals,” said the Woman of Distinction, who added that she is happy that people are embracing feminism and discussing gender equality as a basic human right.
The T-shirt helps initiate such conversations — and not just with adults. Kane designed them for kids, too, because both her sons, Max, 14, and Otto, 9, expressed interest in wearing them.
“Turning a new generation into feminists is deeply gratifying,” she said.
Her sons joined her at the Women’s March, which she calls “a powerful, hopeful, inclusive and enlivening experience.” Kane said it was rewarding to have been part of an historic moment that demonstrated how millions of people could assemble peacefully to send an important message.
Her boutique reflects the same sense of community and activism. The fashion collections she sells there — many of them handmade — emphasize sustainable and eco-friendly materials, as well as brands made in the United States.
Kane believes that more than a shopping destination, her shop is a place where women can connect, replenish, share — and gather to gain strength from each other. She said that during her 15 years there, “I’ve had the privilege of watching many transitions in women’s lives. They move from being single, to becoming part of a couple, then uncoupling, and then moving on to new relationships. There are also the professional achievements, and issues that come up with children, aging, growth, and personal loss. I hope that I’m part of the fabric of our community, and that I contribute to people experiencing success in their lives on a day-to-day level.”
Lynn Harris, a friend and a past Woman of Distinction, praised Kane for using her boutique “to promote change, justice, and empowerment, all with a bit of bling. She’s a shining, sparkling example of how hyperlocal action and community contribute to real momentum for national change.”
Neighborhood: Park Slope.
Occupation: Retailer, designer, activist.
Company: Diana Kane, Inc.
Claim to Fame: Making the community a better place; making feminism in vogue.
Favorite Brooklyn Place: Prospect Park. It is beautiful, inclusive, active, and the scene of so many sweet moments in my life, including where my husband and I got married.
Woman I admire: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, for her steadfast perseverance, tenacity and grace in the face of sexism and opposition. And also for her rational, considered arguments.
Motto: The personal is political. Do what you can.
