Designer Donna Karan Just Stepping Down As Chief Designer, Not Leaving Her Company – Will Stay On As Advisor


Donna Karan, the designer who has dressed influential people like Michelle Obama, celebrities like Kate Moss, and inspirational icons like Caitlyn Jenner, has decided to step down as Chief Designer of her namesake company. Fortunately, she has clarified that she won’t be leaving Donna Karan International.

Donna surprised the fashion industry by announcing her retirement. She had always been the Chief Designer of her own label and had built the company from grounds up. However, she intends to devote more time to her foundation, Urban Zen, which she founded with designer Sonja Nuttall.

Donna Karan’s dedication to the foundation is legendary. In March 2008, Karan sold her personal belongings and highly sought-after vintage company samples to benefit the cause. Hence it was a big step that was simply waiting to happen. The fashion world, which fondly refers to Donna Karen as DK, won’t be losing her to the foundation completely. She has agreed to partake in the company’s creative endeavors, but only as a close advisor, confirmed a statement from her company. Speaking about the difficult, but necessary step, Donna said,

“Donna Karan is a part of me, past, present and future. It has been an honor to speak woman to woman about ‘Seven Easy Pieces’ that forever changed the way women dress. I want to express my gratitude and my deepest feelings to the dozens and dozens of colleagues over the years who have helped take Donna Karan New York far beyond my wildest dreams.”

'In Women We Trust' Was Proof Of Donna's Powerful Foresight
‘In Women We Trust’ Was Proof Of Donna’s Powerful Foresight

Donna has been a woman with one of the best foresights and bold statements that helped define fashion in many ways. One of her most iconic ad campaigns was an ad depicting a woman for president with the slogan “In Women We Trust” back in 1992. Incidentally, with woman candidates vying for Presidency in America, the campaign is more relevant now than ever before.

Caitlyn Jenner Looked Stunning In Donna Karan's Dress
Caitlyn Jenner Looked Stunning In Donna Karan’s Dress

Her most recent achievement was dressing up Caitlyn Jenner, who was formerly a man. She had draped Caitlyn in a signature cherry red Resort dress that helped the former Olympian not just embrace her femininity, but look stunning while doing so. Needless to say, Caitlyn Jenner looked like a diva in the ladylike look for her July Vanity Fair spread that continues to attract a lot of admiration and inspiration.

What’s sad about Donna Karan’s stepping down is that the 66-year-old fashion icon hasn’t named her successor and has even suspended Donna Karan Collection’s runway shows for now.

[Image Credit | Mike Coppola / Getty Images, Annie Leibovitz / Vanity Fair, Peter Lindbergh]

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