I’m designing for an international man and woman. A creative person who never knows where a day is going to take them. That’s why New York is on the label. It sets the pace, the attitude,”
That’s Donna Karan of New York or
DKNY. With clients like Victoria Beckham, Brooke Shields, Liv Tyler and Debra Messing, DKNY has become a household name in the world of fashion. It was with her first collection that Karan struck gold, which included practical
mix-and-match separates that accentuated a woman’s curves. Her name became synonymous with the New York look and created a trend-setting, all-black palette for ready-to-wear. She’s also credited with popularising the bodysuit. The aim
of this news-making concept was to offer modern women a streamlined formula to take them from the boardroom to the banquette. Among the
‘Seven Easy Pieces’ were a bodysuit, a blazer, and, of course, leggings-with stretch jersey, lots of black, and strong shoulders creating a variety of body-sculpted silhouettes. Her company has
grown to include menswear, fragrances, children’s apparel, shoes, lingerie, home, and accessories. |
1984
Donna Karan, along with husband Stephen Weis, forms Donna Karan New York (DKNY) and launches the first Donna Karan collection
1988
Karan extends her women’s Signature Collection with a less expensive line, called DKNY, for younger women. Karan can be regarded as the first designer to successfully establish a bridge collection
1992
Donna Karan launches perfume for women
1994
DK launches Men Fuel perfume
1996
Donna Karan goes public, netting the designer a fortune, but has mixed results on Wall Street
1999
DKNY flagship stores open at Madison Avenue and 60th Street in New York
2001
LVMH (Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton) fashion giant completes the acquisition of DKNY Inc. in a $243-million-deal
2004
The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) presents Donna Karan with Lifetime Achievement Award
2008
Donna Karan announces that her fall 2009 lines will be fur-free and that she has “no plans” to use fur in the future; relaunches discontinued fragrance line from
the 1990s including DK Fuel for Men, Signature, Chaos, and Black Cashmere |
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