the decorator

‘Who is Diane?’ asks contributing lifestyle editor Cassandra Twala as she begins the interview. ‘Am I saying it right? Is it Diane or Diaan?’ ‘It’s Diane in English but in French it’s pronounced Deeann,’ replies her impeccably stylish subject. ‘Well, I’m 57 years old. My father, a diplomat, is from Benin, and my mother is French-Malian. I grew up in Europe, and only returned to Africa late in my life, after my studies, but I always knew that I wanted to establish myself here. When I came to South Africa I had that need to anchor somewhere and