Donna Karan began her career as an assistant designer to Anne Klein in the late 1960s, where she was eventually promoted to associate designer in 1971. As Klein’s assistant, Karan was a participant in The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show on November 28, 1973. When Klein herself died in 1974, Takihyo Corporation of Japan became the new owner and Karan, together with her former classmate and friend Louis Dell’Olio, became head designer of the house. In 1984, Karan left Anne Klein and, together with her then husband Stephan Weiss and Takihyo Corporation, started her own business “to design modern clothes for modern people”. She showed her first women’s clothing collection in 1985.
Karan became well known for her ‘Essentials’ line, initially offering seven easy pieces cantered around the bodysuit which could all be mixed and matched and created a fully integrated wardrobe with her First Collection in 1985. Karan always insisted that she would design only clothes like jersey dresses and opaque Lycra tights that she would wear herself. In 1988, Karan, nicknamed The Queen of Seventh Avenue, extended her women’s ‘Donna Karan New York’ line by creating a less expensive clothing line for younger women, called DKNY.
Two years later, she created DKNY Jeans, a denim-inspired collection. DKNY for men was launched in 1992, one year after the ‘Signature’ line for men had been presented. In 1992, Karan also released her “cold shoulder” dress, a jersey long-sleeved dress which featured deep cut-outs at the shoulders to reveal the skin beneath. And we have been loving her as an epic creative designer ever since.
This spring we have been seeing a lot of bold colours coming into play. Everywhere you turn, it seems like the “pop of colour motif” is what we all need for our fresh new wardrobes. And how is the best way to style our outfits this season? We need to keep our style eye focused on Donna Karan’s spring selections of new styles that are sporting, orange is the new black with fresh takes on comfort with ease, the classic suit silhouette, and an unusual pattern that says I am always a good time.
I have picked a few styles from Karan’s collection that I think we all need to check out. And add these fun looks to your closet.
The DKNY Frosted Twill blazer is a bold hue, mixed on a classic blazer. And goes perfectly together with this monochromatic look.
The cargo trousers are a major right now, and to get in with that the cargo trousers are not only comfy but incredibly stylish.
Everyone needs a classic blouse in their collection and this chiffon button down top hits all the notes. The pop of orange is a theme here and it looks great with a pair of leather trousers.
This printed cropped blouse has a unique pattern that just has a fun and chic look. You can pair it with the cargo orange trousers from her new spring line and look so stylish for a great weekend out.
A casual top is hard to find that can really make a statement. For spring, I just love the look of this Satin twist sleeve top by DKNY. It goes with just about anything and has a nice colour to really look stylish.
For a casual look with a twist, or that style you could wear on a holiday getaway, this DKNY printed satin maxi dress is just gorgeous. You can wear it casual and put on a pair of heels to dress it up for a nighttime look. It is so versatile and with the orange and black mixed pattern, it makes for a fun outfit.
