Snob File: Donna Karan

I’ve been saving this interview for two weeks, I wanted to feature it while I am actually at the Donna Karan show (which I am right now as you read this)! I was extremely nervous to meet Donna, I mean this is a woman who changed the way women dressed forever with the debut of her namesake line in the late 80s, a modern fashion icon! (When asked why she named it DKNY she said because ‘Donna Karan’ simply sounded too boring and she is from NY, loves NY and it made perfect sense).

I’ve been buying her clothes since college, even blowing almost an entire year’s salary on her Fall ’93 collection when I graduated and entered the ‘adult’ world. I still have many of those pieces, and when I described them to Donna in our interview, she knew each one as if she’d just designed them yesterday, not 16 years ago.

I was immediately drawn to her warm smile, I was expecting a ‘tough to crack, been there done that’ designer who is wary of the press (as I was wrongly told by an acquaintance). instead, Donna was kind and accommodating, even when the PR person for Neiman Marcus told me my time was up, she continued speaking with me and taking her time to think through her answers thoughtfully. I think you will enjoy this interview as much as I did (after our interview and the fashion show, Donna tailored my dresses for me personally!)
 
Bag Snob: The economy is on everyone’s mind, what are you thoughts?

Donna Karan: I think what’s important right now is that the consumer is realizing we are not just getting dressed anymore, we are addressing the issues at hand. That has always been what my role is in fashion. I’ve been a proponent of conscious shopping for years. That’s how 7th on Sale started, how do you buy something and make a difference in this world? I also created Urban zen where philanthropy and commerce come together. Now it’s a larger scale – Fashion and commerce really has to take an understanding of what is philanthropy? It’s unquestionable we can not close down the fashion industry.  We must realize “I’m not buying for myself, I’m buying and making a difference in an entire industry.” Imagine all the fabric people, seamstresses, pattern makers who will be affected if we all stopped shopping. How will they provide for their families? It’s no longer just a selfish buy, it’s also a philanthropic buy.

Bag Snob: We love that you are so forward thinking in new media– your iPhone app is one of the best from designers.

Donna Karan: You know, it’s another way of communicating with our customers, beyond the dressing room. There is so much we want to say to them. What is in our heart? Not just a photo shot in a magazine. There is so much soul behind my garment. When I design something, there is so much thought into it. Take this jacket you’re wearing, it has multiple reasons for being. Multiple applications, day to evening… I put my heart into every single piece.

Bag Snob: Let’s talk about your design process, how do you begin a new collection?

Donna Karan: First, it’s a mood. What’s talking to me?  And it’s very emotional for me, what touches my soul?  What do I want to say to my customer? What do I want to live with, what do I want to dance with. Then the thought process happens and the logistics of the actual design.

Bag Snob: My very first major purchase after college was a Donna Karan jacket in a navy blue with removable white collars and cuffs during the fall of 1993…

Donna Karan: With gold/pearl buttons! Of course.

Bag Snob: My gosh, you remember? I loved that collection. I was entering the corporate world and bought almost every piece and still have it all! I loved it, everyone was into grunge at the time, I was 22 and I just wanted to wear proper clothes that fit me well.

Donna Karan: How my clothes fit on the body is a dance that I have with the consumer. People say constantly “oh my god you’re so tall and your clothes are for big women”. But look at you, you are tiny and you’re perfect in this top. The fabric and the design of all my clothes are meant to lift you up and make you feel good regardless of you size.

Bag Snob: I wore this top with a skirt the other night instead of skinny pants, it looked totally different.

Donna Karan: That’s exactly what I aim for, that my customer can buy a piece that has been thoughtfully designed and fits their lifestyle from day to night.

Bag Snob: Let’s talk about bags, I love this Gotham tote!

Donna Karan: Bags have to be functional! Just like my clothes, it’s not just about beauty. We made these zippers on your Gotham bag thinking about how to make it big or small. And look at these outer pockets, it fits everything.

Bag Snob: Yes yes!  Fits iPhone, kindle, transformers and sippy cups! I love these outer pockets!

Donna Karan: Absolutely, functionality is key.  I’m actually a belt bag girl, I’m obsessed with belt bags. I love having everything at my disposal.  This Gotham bag is an extension of that, I reach in and grab everything I need.

Bag Snob: All of our readers are looking forward to seeing more fabulous bags from Donna Karan.  Any last words for them?
Donna Karan: Yes, just remember girls.  Behind every great man is a great woman.  But behind every great woman is a GREAT BAG.

Uh, this purple dress will be forever in my collection! Donna personally tailored it on the spot (and we were featured in WWD)! She couldn’t find pins so she knelt down on her knee (I’m not worthy!) and with one quick swoop she tied a knot on the back of the dress which made the skirt narrow and fitted with an additional drape to boot.  She then said with a wink “I just saved you $150 in tailoring”. Who would have thought of that!?!? She is a Goddess!   She then showed me how the dress would look with shoulder pads (at one point she asked her VP of PR to remove her shoulder pads from her jacket to give me).  I knew there was a reason I worshipped her since college!