Timeless, relevant, functional and classic are all words commonly used to describe Donna Karan New York. Donna Karan has been renowned in the fashion industry for decades because of her uncanny sense of a woman’s wants and needs.
Her fall 2009 collection focuses on the Seven Easy Pieces, a system of dressing she formulated in 1989. The Seven Easy Pieces is a metaphor that signifies the handful of key items every woman needs in her wardrobe, such as the bodysuit, pant, skirt, top, jacket and dress.
Karan has historically done these staples better than anyone else in the industry. Her fall line is characterized by: skillful draping, grey hues with earthy accents, cinched waists and flattering construction in the shoulders. Each piece is designed as an investment – an article of clothing that will endure for seasons to come.
Since Karan relates so closely to her consumer, she embarked on a small tour this fall to promote her line and touch base with her clients across the country, including those in Dallas.
On August 25, Karan visited Neiman Marcus at NorthPark Center for a personal appearance and runway show. The Daily Campus had the opportunity to talk with the designer for a few moments after the show, and it became apparent that Karan was not designing for the glamour of fashion; she was designing for the consumer and for herself.
While other members of fashion’s elite use models or actresses as their muse, Karan cites herself under this role.
“I stand in front of the mirror just like everyone else saying, ‘What am I going to wear, oh I look fat, oh I need this, oh I need that,'” she said. “I have to get up every morning just like everyone else. My life is very complicated. I’m constantly on the go, needing clothes that work from day to night.”
Her fall 2009 collection is shining evidence and a mirror reflection of this mindset. Women love DKNY and stay faithful to her clothes season after season, simply because they can relate to her. She provides attire that simultaneously answers the question of what women want and what women need, a task that takes someone who is as equally extraordinary as they are ordinary.
Not only does Karan produce women’s clothing that stands out in the chaos of the fashion industry, she places balance in her life over anything else.
Karan is known for her commitment to several charities, including the Urban Zen initiative, which is an organization she founded that promotes well-being, child empowerment and cultural preservation. Karan auctioned off many of her personal belongings in 2008 to benefit Urban Zen. She has also donated money towards research on Eastern meditation and the affect it has on those struck with serious illnesses.
This concept of balance is something SMU has in common with Karan. Striving to link together success in the workplace and a commitment to the community is so important to the respected designer and SMU students.
So what advice does Donna Karan have for SMU students?
“My first thing is, get involved in something that means something to your heart. And then take your work from there,” she said. “What’s your closest purpose? Why are you here? What do you want to do with your life? And figure out that it’s not about work. It’s about life. If you’re at your core essence of that, then it doesn’t matter. You’re not working. You’re living.”
