Karan, Donna, 1948- (1948-)
Dates
- Existence: 1948-
Biography
Donna Karan was born Donna Faske in 1948 in Queens, New York. Both of her parents were involved in the fashion business; her father Gabby sold men's clothing in his store, while her mother Helen was a showroom model and sales representative. Donna began experimenting with fashion while still in high school by working for Liz Claiborne as an intern during the summer . She later attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, and worked with Anne Klein while she attended classes. After graduating from Parsons, Donna began working full time with Klein as an associate designer from 1971 until Anne's death in 1974. Karan was then named Klein's successor and partnered with fellow designer Louis Dell'Olio to design the Anne Klein Collection. After success with that line, Karan independently created Anne Klein II, and then set out on her own to begin her own line in 1984. Her first designs were immediately praised and bought up by women around the world. Karan, known as "the queen of Seventh Avenue" , owns and is the chief executive of Donna Karan Company managing marketing, production of clothing and design. Her empire houses almost 2000 employees and brings in an annual revenue of $622.6 million. Karan's fashion presence is strong, with 10 full-price stores worldwide and the DKNY world flagship store on Madison Avenue in New York City. She is credited with being one of the chief innovators of the bridge line. Her clothes are regarded as "user-friendly and luxurious", a staple to modern women looking for comfort as well as style. In 1988, Donna Karan introduced her cheaper DKNY line, targeting young adults. Today, Donna's empire has grown to gain international success and recognition.
Found in 57 Collections and/or Records:
April 6-7, 1996, 1996
This folder contains a column on American fashion and black and white photocopies of ensembles by Linda Allard for Ellen Tray, Donna Karan, and Randy Kemper.
April 18-19, 1998, 1998
This folder contains a column on Donna Karan and black and white photos of ensembles by Karan and 5x7" negatives.
CFDA Jan 14 1982 Invitations and Citations, 1982
This folder contains a CFDA awards dinner invitation, correspondence, typed remarks for Donna Karan, Oscar De La Renta, Roger Stevens, and Bill Blass.
December 11-12, 1993, 1993
December 12-13, 1987, 1987
This folder contains 13 8x10 black and white photographs containing fashions from Chanel, Donna Karan, and others.
December 24-25, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column with Q&A with designers on the spirit of the age and black and white photos of ensembles by Donna Karan, Richard Tyler for Anne Klein, Han Feng, Isaac Mizrahi, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Issey Miyake and Mary McFadden, some with press releases attached and one color photo of a dress by Bill Blass.
February 9-10, 1991, 1991
This folder contains a column on Donna Karan and black and white photos of ensembles by Karan, some with press releases attached and black and white headshots of Donna Karan.
February 12-13, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on hem lengths and black and white photos, some with press releases attached, of ensembles by Donna Karan, Philippe Venet, Carolina Herrera, Emanuel Ungaro, 8x10" black and white negatives, and a color reproduction of an illustration of an ensemble by Christian Lacroix.
February 25-26, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on Spring suits and black and white photos of suits by Emanuel Ungaro, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Linda Allard for Ellen Tracy, DKNY, , some with press releases attached en verso.
February 26-27, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on minimalist styles and black and white photos of ensembles by , with press releases en version, of ensembles by Donna Karan, shoes by Joan and David, Joan Vass, and black and white photocopies of photos by Carolina Herrera.