NYFW: Backstage With Donna Karan

4 min read

By Susan Devaney

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

Donna Karan embodies the NYC woman. This season she looked to the city around her as inspiration. 

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

‘She’s a woman of power. She’s strong. She has a lot on her plate. She’s a mother. She’s an executive woman. She’s travelling all over the place’, Donna Karan told us backstage after her fall winter 15 show. One could easily have mistaken her description of this season’s DK woman as herself. But, then again, Donna Karan is her own customer. Entering the scene over 30 years ago, Donna still lusts after a wardrobe for women who work and still want their personality to shine through – just like her. 

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

Opening with the city’s skyline at night and models swaying to Melody Gardot’s rich jazz-lit vocals rumbling across Cedar Lake, the New York woman entered into the fold. Merging black with gold, Donna gave a nod to her sartorial 80’s past. With a little less shoulder pad action, belted waists and turtlenecks were a retro recollection. From opulent metallics to fuzzy shearling, jackets were thick and textured. Sombre black gowns were layered in sheer to tulle fabrics – with light as a feather trains. 

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

Donna Karan, autumn/winter 15, photo courtesy of Getty.

‘She’ll love the jackets. She’ll love the turtleneck shirts. She’ll love the long skirts. They’ll empower the woman’, said Donna of her Middle Eastern customer. Standing the test of time, Donna lit a little remembrance as to why she’s still loved by women the world over.