Brands

DKNY (Donna Karan New York)

Vintage Donna Karan Necklace Attr. Robert Lee Morris 1980s
Vintage Donna Karan Necklace Attr. Robert Lee Morris 1980s.

DKNY (Donna Karan New York) was founded in the USA in 1984. The name of the brand bears the name of its creator, Donna Karan, a legendary American who has become one of the most talented and successful fashion designers who has received worldwide recognition.

Donna Karan Anglo Indian Bib
Donna Karan Anglo Indian Bib.

About company

Donna Karan was born in 1948 in Queens. Her parents were related to the fashion world: her father worked as a tailor, and her mother was a model. At the age of 23, while still a design student at Parsons The New School for Design, Donna Karan was invited to work as an assistant to the famous American designer Anna Klein.

After her sudden death in 1974, Donna Karan headed the Anne Klein company – and this despite the fact that not long before that she became a mother and planned to devote herself entirely to her tiny daughter and husband. In this position, the designer remained for 10 years, and her work was highly appreciated: Karan was twice awarded the prestigious Coty American Fashion Critics Awards.

Donna Karan Anglo Indian Bib
Donna Karan Anglo Indian Bib.
Donna Karan Matte Gold Suite
Donna Karan Matte Gold Suite.

In 1984, Donna Karan and her husband Steven Weiss founded Donna Karan. Donna’s subtle sense of femininity quickly brought success to her fashion house. In 1996, the company entered the global trading market, where five years later it was acquired by the current owner, the French luxury concern LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy).

“I am a woman, and this awakens in me the desire to help people like me, deal with their problems, fulfill their desires. At the same time, the artistic sense requires beauty – sensual and visible. Therefore, design for me is a constant struggle for a harmonious combination of comfort and luxury, practicality and passion.”

“I create things for cosmopolitans – for creative people who don’t know where they will be at any given time of the day,” says Donna Karan. “That’s why I have New York on my label. New York sets the pace and rhythm, forms a certain attitude towards the company.”

Donna Karan Satin Gold 1980s Mod Woman Hoop Earrings
Donna Karan Satin Gold 1980s Mod Woman Hoop Earrings.

Lines Donna Karan New York

The DKNY line has several directions. The brand offers clothing, shoes, watches, underwear and fragrances for men and women, as well as women’s bags, eyewear, jewelry, hosiery, belts, hats, gloves and home furnishings.

  • DKNY Woman. The main collections of women’s youth clothing presented at New York Fashion Week.
  • DKNY Man. Clothing, shoes, underwear for men.
  • DKNY Jeans. Women’s and men’s youth clothing made of denim and related models made of natural and artificial fabrics.
  • DKNY Juniors. A clothing line for teenagers characterized by non-traditional materials, a high degree of practicality and durability of fabrics.
  • DKNY Kids. A line of clothing and footwear for children of primary school age, designed in the style of collections for adults.
  • DKNY Baby. Clothes and accessories for preschoolers.
  • Pure D.K.N.Y. A line of home wear for women and men, perfumes and household goods.
  • DKNY Active. Clothing, footwear and accessories for outdoor activities and sports.
  • DKNY Shapewear & Intimates. Line of underwear brand DKNY.
  • DKNY Eyewear. A line of sunglasses and fashion glasses of the brand.
  • DCNY Times. Watches for women and men, produced by the Texas concern Fossil.
  • DKNY Home. Interior items and textiles from the designer’s democratic line.
Donna Karan Robert Lee Morris Vintage Abstract Gold Plated Key Pendant Necklace
Donna Karan Robert Lee Morris Vintage Abstract Gold Plated Key Pendant Necklace.

DKNY Today

On April 29, 2015, Public School brand designers Dao-Yi Chou and Maxwell Osborne were appointed Creative Directors of DKNY. In addition, Hector Muelas, director of marketing communications at Apple, has also added to Donna Karan International’s staff – a special position has been created for him, according to which he will have to oversee the entire image of the company.

The first collection of the brand’s new navigators Spring-Summer 2016 was presented at New York Fashion Week in September 2015.

Donna Karan, the founder and designer of the brand, has been creating her collections for many years inspired by more than one generation of successful and motivated women. Of course, she will support and advise the new DKNY creative team.

Robert Lee Morris 18 Karat Gold Choker Pendant Necklace
Robert Lee Morris 18 Karat Gold Choker Pendant Necklace.
Company Facts

Donna Karan was the first designer to develop the unique concept of “Seven Simple Things”. She has thought of everything to the smallest detail, and her concept is that every woman living in a large city should include seven irreplaceable things in her basic wardrobe.
Donna Karan’s closest friend is Barbra Streisand.

By 1998, 1540 employees worked there, of which almost a hundred designers. The team was divided into nine groups.

In 2008, Kate Moss became the face of the company.

Brand mark 1
Brand mark.
Marking
Marking.
Robert Lee Morris for Artwear Gold Plated Sterling Silver Sculptural Necklace
Robert Lee Morris for Artwear Gold Plated Sterling Silver Sculptural Necklace.
Robert Lee Morris Turtle Back Link Chain
Robert Lee Morris Turtle Back Link Chain.
Vintage DKNY DONNA KARAN gold black designer runway clip on earrings
Vintage gold black designer runway clip on earrings.
Teak and Gilt Multistrand Necklace
Teak and Gilt Multistrand Necklace.
Vintage DKNY Donna Karan of NY Multi Charm Gold Bracelet
Multi Charm Gold Bracelet.
Vintage DKNY Donna Karan of NY Multi Charm Gold Necklace
Vintage Multi Charm Gold Necklace.
Vintage DONA KARAN DKNY gold glass designer clip on earrings
Vintage gold glass designer clip on earrings.