Donna Karan New York (DKNY)

Donna Karan is a fashion designer known for designing simple, elegant, comfortable clothing. She gained notoriety with collections designed to give businesswomen an alternative to traditional business suits. Using a neutral colour palette, her collections contain less than 10 basic pieces. It's a "system of dressing" that makes it easy for women to get dressed, according to Karan.

Background

Donna Karan was born 1949, in Queens, New York. She grew up in Long Island with her step-father who was a tailor and her mother who was a model. Being trained at Parson's School of Design, she entered the busines herself, designing for Anne Klein. Eventually she became head of the Anne Klein design-team and remained in this position until 1984.

She collected 3 Coty Awards (The American Fashion Designer’s version of the Oscar) during the time she was with Anne Klein.

Career

In 1985, she left Anne Klein and founded her own company. At first she became known for her line of elastic bodies. Then word spread about her Essentials line, offering seven easy pieces every woman should have in her closet. The Essentials line became a success and the seven pieces were broadened to about 200 pieces today. Her aim was to dress women in comfort, to liberate them from the confines of Eighties power suits.

The introduction of her DKNY collection in 1988 marks the beginning of a period of amazing growth of the company. Thought of as a bridge collection, DKNY has developed to be the pillar of the Donna Karan business. DKNY is a modern, moderately-priced young collection, drawing from the spirit of big city life.

The shoe collection came around in 1989. Donna Karan shoes are designed for modern women. The collection has both trendy forward-thinking designs as well as timeless silhouettes that are essentials to every woman’s wardrobe. Known for both quality and comfort, Donna Karan shoes are crafted from the finest material and considered by many people to be must-haves. Donna Karan shoes include styles like pumps, sandals, flats, and boots, and are loved by women worldwide.

In mid-1997 Donna Karan herself resigned from the position as CEO of the company. Donna Karan remains in the company as chaiwoman and designer in charge. John Idol, who used to be with the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation is now Chief Executive Officer of the company.













Collection Lines 
Donna Karan has made numerous collection lines within her career which are all shown below:

Donna Karan Essentials, now Donna Karan Signature

Donna Karan Collection

Donna Karan Intimates 

Donna Karan Kids

D by DKNY

 

DKNY Jeans

DKNY Classics 

DKNY Active

 

In August 2008, Donna Karan relaunched her discontinued fragrance lines from the 1990s. These include DK Fuel for Men, Signature, Chaos, and Black Cashmere. They are available exclusively in the United States at Bergdorf Goodman, Manhattan and at Harrod’s, Knightsbridge, London.

Chronology

1948: Born.

1974: Promoted head designer at Anne Klein and launched legendary Seven Easy Pieces.

1977: Won the Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award and once again in 1982.

1982: Karan created Anne Klein II, originating the concept of bridge and lifestyle dressing in fashion.

1985: Left Anne Klein and founded Donna Karan New York.

1989: Came the shoe collection from DKNY

1992: Emerged DKNY Men Collection of Cashmere suits and sports wear the following year.

2001: Karan introduced a Donna Karan New York Home collection.

2008: Relaunched her discontinued fragrance lines from the 1990s.