Fashion Designer Profile: Donna Karan, DKNY
Donna Karan was born in Forest Hills, New York on October 9, 1948. She was born as Donna Ivy Faske. It was in 1974 where she married Mark Karan, and subsequently divorced in 1978. In 1983, she married Steven Weiss and lost him in 2001. Donna has in total, 3 children who have blessed her with 6 grandchildren.
Donna started her career being schooled in the famous Parsons School of Design. In 1974 she began her work as many designers do, under the schooling of another designer. For Donna, it was Anne Klein who broke her into the biz. During her time at Anne Klein, Donna became the originator of the notion of “bridge” dressing – Lower priced than designer, Higher pricing than moderate. In 1984 Donna launched her own label with her late husband, Steven Weiss. 1989 was the birthday of DKNY.
During her career, Donna has won 3 Coty’s, and was honored by the Council of Fashion Designers of America Awards for three consecutive years – 1985, 1986, and 1987. She was also honored as Menswear Designer of the Year in 1992. Finally, the CFDA awarded her with Lifetime Achievement Excellence in 2004, but that has not kept Donna from the sewing machine and pattern makers.
Donna’s trademark is the 7 interchangeable black pieces that wrap and sculpt the body, and it is this trademark that has won her accolades in her field. Though Donna resigned as the CEO of DKNY in 1997, she still maintains the title of chief designer of DKNY.
