My role is to offer women the freedom and tools to pull it together in a completely modern, sexy way...From one woman to another. -- Donna Karan, Woman to Woman newsletter, as quoted in The End of Fashion
She reinvented power dressing for women in the '80s with her seven essential pieces and figure-flattering designs. Donna Karan's empire now includes legwear, accessories, perfume and menswear and her influence on modern style is far-reaching.
Vital stats
Known for: Functional, flattering clothing for modern women and men
Born: October 2, 1948, Forest Hills, New York
Started in the business: 1967 with Anne Klein. Launched Donna Karan in 1985
Education: Parsons School of Design, New York
What you might not know about Donna Karan
- She's one of the innovators of the "bridge" line (less expensive than designer goods, she launched DKNY in 1988)
- Photographers staged a walk out on her Fall 2000 show because the tiny show space meant some press would be turned away.
- The first DKNY flagship store opened in '99 at Madison Avenue and 60th in New York.
- The woman she designs for: Women who have more important things to do than just worry about their wardrobes.
- Notable quote: "Sometimes fashion moves from the moment to the moment to the moment," Karan says. "But where is the integrity in design?" -- Detroit News
Famous clients
Barbra Streisand, Demi Moore, Bill Clinton
How you can get the look
- Donna Karan's signature color is black, but look for pure whites and flashes of rich color.
- Aim for tailored, but sleek designs; the look is polished, but feminine, as in A-line dresses and belted sweaters.
- She's been called a master of disguise, so take advantage of a bag of tricks to draw attention to good areas and skim over problem body parts: plunging necklines, one-shoulder gowns, strapless shifts, sheer layered pieces and more.
- Add tactile interest with color and texture -- leathers, velvets, pleats -- rather than ornamentation.
- Choose styles that are classics in updated fabrics. Karan's styles are never trendy, but always manage to look modern.
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