Donna Karan's fashion career began at age 14 when she lied about her age to secure a job selling clothes in a boutique. She was later accepted into Parsons School of Design, thanks to a recommendation from designer Chester Weinberg. After leaving school in 1968, Karan started working for sportswear designer Anne Klein and was promoted to head of the design team.
Following Klein's death in 1974, Karan became the chief designer at Anne Klein. In 1984, Karan launched her own label, Donna Karan, with seed money from Tomio Taki, chairman of a Japanese textile firm and a major partner in Anne Klein. She and her second husband, sculptor Stephan Weiss, who served as co-CEO, founded the Donna Karan Co. The first women's collection was presented in 1985 and featured the 'Essentials' line, known for its mix-and-match pieces such as bodysuits and jersey dresses.
In 1988, she introduced DKNY, a more affordable line aimed at younger consumers. DKNY Jeans followed in 1990, and DKNY for men was launched in 1992. Notable designs include the "cold shoulder" dress, which became iconic in 1992. In 1996, Karan's company went public, and in 2001, it was acquired by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). Despite the acquisition, Karan retained control of her name and continued as chief designer. She founded Urban Zen in 2007, focusing on clothing, accessories, and wellness goods. In 2015, Karan announced her decision to step down as chief designer of Donna Karan to concentrate on Urban Zen. The following year, LVMH sold Donna Karan International to G-III Apparel Group for approximately $650 million.
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