- Designer-Pedia
Get To Know Donna Karan
Get to know Donna Karan in ten quick facts about the American designer.
1. Donna Ivy Faske was born in Queens, New York in 1949. She grew up on Long Island with her mother, who was a model, and her stepfather, who was a haberdasher (someone who sells and deals with sewing accessories, commonly for men’s fashion).
2. She went to Parson’s School of Design and first entered the fashion business by landing a designing gig at Anne Klein. Donna soon worked her way up to becoming the head of Anne Klein’s design team.
3. She married Mark Karan in the early 1970s and had a daughter with him named Gabrielle. However, Mark and Donna divorced in 1978; she remarried in 1983 to Stephen Weiss.
4. In 1985, Donna Karan went solo, leaving Anne Klein and building her own company. Her “Essentials” line soon grew in popularity, causing her original 7 Essential pieces to grow – they number over 200 today. The original Essentials line included a bodysuit, a wrap skirt, a chiffon blouse, a longer jacket, leggings, a blazer and a dress.
5. In 1988, the more affordable line, DKNY, was introduced, which was meant to reflect the modern New York lifestyle.
6. Donna Karan claims that when she designs clothes, she designs for women like herself, not for top models. People say that before clothes are accepted for production, that they must first flatter Donna Karan.
7. She has a fascination with Eastern mediation and philosophy, which is sometimes reflected in her designs.
8. Donna Karan is a Libra; she believes in astrology and claims that she can’t make decisions very quickly.
9. Her book “Modern Souls” was published in 1998 for the 10th anniversary of DKNY.
10. Donna Karan had 20 years invested in the fashion industry (and seven grandchildren!) by 2007.
