Donna Karan × DKNY

weekly article from: “5 Minutes with Donna Karan”. Vogue.com.au. http://www.vogue.com.au/fashion/five+minutes+with/5+minutes+with+donna+karan,5799

Donna Karan began her foray into fashion designs as a co-designer with Anne Klein for at least a decade. In 1985 she produced her own designs together with her now deceased husband Stephan Weiss. Karan’s first collection was a combination of practicality and the defining of the feminine curves. Eventually, the Karan brand became indicative of a New York style setting trends in black ready-to-wear designs. Karan is also known as the designer responsible for given popularity to the bodysuit. Karan however, did not confine her designs to a specific gender or genre. Instead, she designed for men, women and children and forayed into accessories, beauty and home (New York Fashion, Donna Karan 2010).

Karan’s company The Donna Karan International company also includes a supplementary label, DKNY which was purchased by LVMH in 2001 although Karan continues to serve in the capacity of chief creative director (New York Fashion, Donna Karan 2010). Karan opened her first store in Sydney this month and in an interview with Inchley (2010) in advance of this event, Karan emphasized that her designs are calculated to exude comfort which engenders relaxation and by extension, confidence.

Karan also spoke of her DKNY jeans brand. She described the brand as indicative of not only an attitude, but also of a lifestyle. This, according to Karan is particularly important to Australia which she sees denim as a “way of life” in Australia (Inchley 2010). Speaking of her most cherished achievements as a designer, Karan notes that she is pleased to have her brand synonymous with New York. She is also proud of having celebrated women in her brand. For Karan, fashion is not merely about dressing women, it also about “addressing women” (Inchley 2010).

Sources:
Inchley, N. (September 12, 2010) “5 Minutes with Donna Karan”. Vogue.com.au. http://www.vogue.com.au/fashion/five+minutes+with/5+minutes+with+donna+karan,5799
New York Fashion (2010) Donna Karan. http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/designers/bios/donnakaran/
Pictures:
http://blog.themavenreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/dkny_575.jpg
http://www.csua.berkeley.edu/~safari/fashion/DonnaKaran.jpg