BUTTERFLY IN A STORM
By Diana Zimmerman
Reviewed by Cynthia Unninayar
One of the most interesting biographies of the year is Diana S. Zimmerman’s book about Giselle Rufer Delance, the founder of Delance Swiss Watches. The story, Butterfly in a Storm, will appeal not only to those who appreciate unusual ladies’ timepieces but also to those who can relate to the struggles many women face in life and love.
Like a magical butterfly navigating through a relentless storm, Giselle Rufer Delance is courageous, beautiful, rebellious, and passionate. She has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. For the French-born Giselle, who dared challenge over a century of tradition, it has been a journey of fortitude and endless defiance. The world of high-end watchmaking is, by its very nature, elite, perilous, and exclusionary. Acceptance, if at all, comes with a price—frequently a very high one—a price that Giselle has paid.
The Delance watch brand is exclusively feminine. That alone makes her an outlier, a one-of-a-kind visionary who refused to be limited by the thinking of industry “experts.” In spite of their denial, she has emerged as the unconventional victor. Her unique style, statement-making watches, and personal message are celebrated by women everywhere. On 217 pages, Ms. Zimmerman deftly and delicately captures Giselle’s inspiring story.
Although the author has compressed the conversations and time periods for editorial purposes, her subject’s thoughts, dreams, and events are real. A quote by Giselle from the book perhaps expresses her improbable life the best...
“Throughout my life, I have experienced spectacular highs and devastating lows—shed tears that would overflow a river; laughed so hard it would make the angels smile; and felt unbelievable pride—as a daughter, woman, wife, mother, and an entrepreneur. That is the wonder of life. Living it to its fullest glory is the gift we can all create.”
ISBN: 978 36408 4 4; For more information, visit www.Delance.com.
Like a magical butterfly navigating through a relentless storm, Giselle Rufer Delance is courageous, beautiful, rebellious, and passionate. She has experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. For the French-born Giselle, who dared challenge over a century of tradition, it has been a journey of fortitude and endless defiance. The world of high-end watchmaking is, by its very nature, elite, perilous, and exclusionary. Acceptance, if at all, comes with a price—frequently a very high one—a price that Giselle has paid.
The Delance watch brand is exclusively feminine. That alone makes her an outlier, a one-of-a-kind visionary who refused to be limited by the thinking of industry “experts.” In spite of their denial, she has emerged as the unconventional victor. Her unique style, statement-making watches, and personal message are celebrated by women everywhere. On 217 pages, Ms. Zimmerman deftly and delicately captures Giselle’s inspiring story.
Although the author has compressed the conversations and time periods for editorial purposes, her subject’s thoughts, dreams, and events are real. A quote by Giselle from the book perhaps expresses her improbable life the best...
“Throughout my life, I have experienced spectacular highs and devastating lows—shed tears that would overflow a river; laughed so hard it would make the angels smile; and felt unbelievable pride—as a daughter, woman, wife, mother, and an entrepreneur. That is the wonder of life. Living it to its fullest glory is the gift we can all create.”
ISBN: 978 36408 4 4; For more information, visit www.Delance.com.