30 fashion designers you should know... #20

DONNA KARAN

Born in New York 1948, Donna Karan grew up with fashion in her genes, as the daughter of a tailor and a model. She studied at New Yorks renowned Parsons School of Design, but changed over to the designer Anne Klein, directly after spending a summer internship there. Only seven years later (after the early death of Anne Klein), Donna Karan took over the company's management, though she just had become mother a week earlier. In 1984 she finally founded her own label, including the financial support of a Japanese enterprise and her second husband, he sculptor Stephan Weiss. Just two years later Donna Karan also launched the lower-priced DKNY (Donna Karan New York) line, a younger and more profitable fashion series of her brand. The overwhelming succes was based on simple ideas "Seven Easy Pieces": bodysuit, blouse, skirt, pants, jacket, coat, evening dress. Her attitude was to not consider herself as a couturier, but a woman who solves other women's clothing problems. She still concentrates on the clothing itself, regardless of seasonal trends. After twelve great years in business, Donna Karan went public- and finally found herself in the red. But she still concentrated on the designs and hand over the running of her business for $643 million to the luxury firm LVMH. But Donna Karan still stands for her name. As chief creative director she ensures her former ideas: high quality, well-cut fashion.

Donna Karan