Donna Karan

Donna Karan is an American fashion designer recognized for her influence on modern women's fashion. Also known as DK, Karan is the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels. She began her career in fashion at age 14, working in a boutique, and later studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Karan started her professional career as an assistant designer to Anne Klein, eventually becoming associate designer. After Klein's passing, Karan and Louis Dell'Olio became head designers of the house, earning the Coty American Fashion Critics Award and induction into the organization's Hall of Fame.

Karan left Anne Klein to establish her own business, aiming to design modern clothes for modern people. Her company launched its first collection, "Seven Easy Pieces," featuring essential, interchangeable garments such as jackets, blouses, skirts, coats, leggings, bodysuits, and dresses. Karan became known for her mix-and-match clothing in soft fabrics and neutral colors, with signature items including bodysuits, dark tights, sarong-wrap skirts, fitted jackets, and statement jewelry. She expanded her brand by introducing DKNY, a more affordable line targeting younger women, followed by blue jeans, menswear, children's clothing, accessories, hosiery, and perfume. Karan's company became the first American fashion brand to open a store in Hong Kong.

Karan's contributions to the fashion industry have been recognized with numerous honors. She was named Designer of the Year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America multiple times and received the Menswear Designer of the Year Award. Karan became the first American recipient of Fashion Group International's Superstar Award and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She was awarded an honorary doctorate from Parsons and was honored at the Parsons Benefit, which established the Donna Karan Fashion Design and Society Scholarship Fund. Karan is also the author of the memoir "My Journey."

LVMH sold Donna Karan International to G-III Apparel Group for an estimated $650 million. Karan stepped down as head of her company to focus on her lifestyle brand, Urban Zen, which she established to promote wellness, philanthropy, and global healing. She founded the Urban Zen Foundation, an organization dedicated to well-being, empowering children, and preserving culture. The Urban Zen Integrative Therapy Program combines eastern healing modalities with western science, with certified therapists working nationwide. Urban Zen launched "Hope, Help & Relief Haiti" in collaboration with leaders across various industries and partnered with Parsons School of Design to open the Haitian vocational education center D.O.T. (Design Organization Training). Through her work in fashion design and humanitarian initiatives, Karan has shaped conversations around wellness, culture, and the role of fashion in empowering women.