Fashion Designer Donna Karan was born 1949, in Queens, New York. She grew up in Long Island with her step-father who was a tailor and her mother who was a model. Being trained at Parson's School of Design, she entered the busines herself, designing for Anne Klein. Eventually she became head of the Anne Klein design-team and remained in this position until 1984.
In 1985, she left Anne Klein and founded her own company. At first she became known for her line of elastic bodies. Then word spread about her Essentials line, offering seven easy pieces every woman should have in her closet. The Essentials line became a success and the seven pieces were broadened to about 200 pieces today.
The introduction of her DKNY collection in 1988 marks the beginning of a period of amazing growth of the company. Thought of as a bridge collection, DKNY has developed to be the pillar of the Donna Karan business. DKNY is a modern, moderately-priced young collection, drawing from the spirit of big city life.
Donna Karan is known to support the needs of modern women with her clothing. When designing her clothes, Donna Karan claims not have the top model in mind, but women like herself. The saying goes, that before the production of a piece of clothes is approved by Karan, it has to look good on her. It seems, that with Donna Karan clothing, function comes before styling.
Until recently, Donna Karan's husband Stephan Weiss shared responsibilities with his wife at the top of the company. First and foremost, the trained sculpturor Weiss was in charge of Donna Karan cosmetics. But by the end of 1995, Weiss resigned from his duties in order to concentrate more on his art. In mid-1997 Donna Karan herself followed her husband's resignation, backing off from the position as CEO of the company. Donna Karan remains in the company as chaiwoman and designer in charge. John Idol, who used to be with the Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation is now Chief Executive Officer of the company.
Donna Karan is said to have an interest in Eastern philosophy and meditation, which is reflected in the simplicity of her designs, as some say. One of her three children is her teenage duaghter Gabby, who is reported to be the main inspiration for her DKNY-line. Donna Karan is a close friend to many celebraties, like Barbara Streisand for instance. In her book "Modern Souls" which was published for the 10th anniversary of Donna Karan New York, she asked photographer Herb Ritts to portray some of her friends.
