Donna Karan

Founder & Philanthropist

Urban Zen

Donna Karan, also known as “DK”, is an American fashion designer and the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels.

Born Donna Ivy Faske on October 2, 1948, in Forest Hills, New York. From an early age Donna, who grew up in Hewlett, Long Island, was immersed in the world of fashion. Her mother worked as a model while her stepfather made a living as a suit designer. Karan’s family’s influence was apparent in her early life. By the age of 14 she had dropped out of school and begun selling clothing at a local boutique. In 1968 Karan was accepted into the highly respected Parsons School of Design in New York City.While in school, Karan landed an prestigious summer job working for designer Anne Klein. Her work there proved so impressive that within two years she was named associate designer. By the age of 26, Karan, who was by then married to her first husband, Mark Karan, was named head designer. In 2001, Karan sold her publicly traded company to LVMH, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, a French luxury conglomerate. Reports of the sale were said to be nearly $650 million. As part of the sale, Karan agreed to stay on as the designer of the brand. Over the years Karan has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In 2003 she became the first American to ever receive Fashion Group International’s “Superstar Award.” The following year, she received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

“Delete the negative; accentuate the positive!” “Women should always take care of themselves first. It makes you more equipped to take care of others.” “A challenge is an opportunity to be creative.”

Where You Can Find Donna

Photos of Donna

2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
about-logos
Agapi Stassinopoulos
Aimee Raupp
Ali Brown
Alisa Vitti
alysia reiner
Amber Tamblyn
Carla Harris
Chrysula Winegar
Cian O'Brien
Claudia Chan
client
Craig Newmark
Deepak Chopra
Donna Karan
Dr. Harvey Karp
Eric Solomon
Gabby Bernstein
Gloria Feldt
Gretchen Carlson
Jackson Wagner
Jeanette Gamble
Jen Welter
Jennifer Brown
John Newall
Kara Goldin
Kathleen Griffith
Katie Livornese
Kelly Clarkson
Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner
Lauren Leader Chivee
lisa
Lisa Nichols
Mark Gr
Mark Groves
Matt McGorry
Michael Skolnik
Nancy Etcoff
Nigel Barker
Patina Miller
Philippe von Borries
Public Speaker
Rachel Roy
Reshma Saujani
Rha Goddess
Sally Kohn
Samantha Power
Sarah Michelle Gellar
Shefali Tsabary
Sophia Amoruso
Sophia Bush
Susan Reid
Terri Cooper
tony-porter
Vienna Pharaon
Wade Davis
Writer
Zainab Salbi

More from Donna

X
X