Donna Karan, knitwear designer #2

"For me, designing is an expression of who I am as a woman, with all the
complications, feelings and emotions." – Donna Karan

Donna Karan started her namesake label in 1984, centered around the idea of a seven piece wardrobe; seven interchangeable, easy pieces that transition from morning to night, work day to weekend, and from Spring to Fall. Not much has changed…except for the 100-plus stores and oodles of looks walking down the runway twice a year and the goal of world domination becoming more attainable. Scratch that last part.

Karan doesn’t design just dresses, or just evening wear; when designing, Karan thinks about the entire look, from head to toe. Because of this entire goal aesthetic,the Donna Karan empire has grown to include hosiery, intimates, eyewear, fragrance,and accessories. However, Karan is quick to point out that her look is not a look; it is a lifestyle. "That’s why New York is on the label. It sets the pace.” This New York kind of life is available at both price points [designer (Donna Karan) and mass market (DKNY,created in 1989)], and for men, juniors, and kids (DKNY Men, DKNY Juniors, DKNYKids, respectably). And, if that wasn’t enough, Karan introduced Donna KaranHome in 2001. You can practically BE Donna Karan if you want to.

Here are some vintage lovelies I found from the Anne Klein days:

{1982} {1984}

This is when Donna Karan was not designing for her own aesthetic but rather for the AK customer, which happened to be a much more... mature look. These clothes don't exactly scream the NY lifestyle, no? The designs were very much for the mass market, being inside the fashion box of what every woman would wear in the 80s: silky neck-tie blouses and polyester pleated pants. Add Dynasty hair and makeup and voila! On the right, the 80s are definitely coming into their own, with asexual Annie Hall vibes going on. Probably still staying with the cottons and polys, but throwing on a wool coat for the colder months. As far as I can tell, not a jersey in sight. Thank God this era is dead.

These are from the late 80s, when Donna Karan was out of the AK umbrella an in her own jersey heaven. These silhouettes are classic DK: draped jersey, low necklines, body-con. The DK woman likes showing off her curves, plain and simple. That is evident here, and still is today.

Fast forward to September 12, 2011 at New York Fashion Week: still slinky, still drapey, and still VERY Donna Karan.

My opinion of Ms. Karan is that she designs for the woman’s body, hands down, no
arguing. She found her niche and sticks to it. Unfortunately, I don't find myself in that niche most days. Some of her designs are far more sensual in a seductress sort of way,
yet are grounded in the use of jersey knits to facilitate ease of movement
(running around in NYC is probably the reasoning behind EVERYTHING). While her
pieces may seem like they require much effort – who wears Grecian draping on a
daily basis?? – they are about as easy to wear as a pair of sweats, and a
million times more chic. Now, if I can only get her to use some neon, we might
be in business. Oh, and lower the hemlines a tad. And, loosen the fits so as to make a general bag-like contraption. THEN we’d be golden.