The fashion label DKNY stands for Donna Karan New York. Donna is one of the most influential fashion designers in the business today. She has won several accolades, including a Lifetime Achievement Award given to her by the Council of Fashion Designers in America. She is well known for making the style of uptown New York look and feel chic and urbane.
Donna Karan was born as Donna Ivy Faske on the 2nd of October 1948. Her place of birth is in Forest Hills, New York. She grew up in Hewlettin Long Island, very familiar with the world of fashion. She didn’t remain in school, dropping out at the age of 14 to sell clothes at a boutique near her home. In 1968, her career took a positive turn when she was accepted into the much respected New York City Fashion institution, the Parsons School of Design.
Her career continued to evolve from there and she got accepted for a summer job that propelled her forward. She worked for the designer legendry Anne Klein. Due to her excellent work, she rose to become associate designer within two years. At the young age of 26, she was name the head designer of the brand.
Donna soon moved on to start her own brand and launched her won women’s collection in 1985. In 1988, she launched DKNY, an affordable fashion brand.
Karan’s Parents
Donna Karan was born to Gabby Faskeand Helen Faske in a Jewish family. Her mother, Helen, was a fit model and a salesperson. Her father, who died when she was three, was a menswear tailor. She was raised by a single-parent in Long Island.
Karan’s Siblings
She has a sister by the name of Gail.
Karan’s Spouse
Donna Karan’s first husband, Mark Karan, was her childhood friend and her first boyfriend. They dated consistently for many years before marrying him in 1973. They had a child together but the marriage didn’t last long and the couple divorced.
She then married her second husband, Stephan Weiss in 1983and the couple didn’t separate, running the DKNY Empire together. He was her co-CEO and often credited for being the calm and cool counter to Donna’s energy and spirit. The success of the company is due to the collaboration between the two.
The couple is said to have met on a blind date when he was 28 years old and she had been 18. At that time, neither of them felt that they would get into a serious relationship and a few years later Donna married Karan only for that marriage to end in divorce.
The marriage between Donna and Stephan lasted until 10th June 2001, when he died of lung cancer.
Karan’s Children
Donna’s eldest daughter is Gabby Karan De Felice, a twin born along with Mark Karan. Gabby is married to Gianpaolo De Felice. Donna has two other children with her second husband Stephan and they are named Corey Weiss and Lisa Weiss.
Donna Karan’s Net Worth
Donna Karan has an estimated net worth of $450 million.