Donna Karan Steps Down as Chief Designer for DKNY
The designer now reportedly wants to focus on her health care nonprofit.
— -- Fashion designer Donna Karan has made a personal decision to step down as chief designer for Donna Karan New York (DKNY), the New York-based international fashion house announced today.
Karan, who spent the last three decades revolutionizing "the working woman's wardrobe" for DKNY, will now be taking on an advisory role to focus on her Urban Zen Company and foundation, which she founded in 2007, DKNY announced on social media today.
Urban Zen, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the healing and treatment experience for patients and families, was founded after Karan said she was disappointed by the health care her husband received while undergoing treatment for lung cancer, she said in a previous interview with Stand Up to Cancer.
"Over the past three decades, Donna Karan has inspired women around the world to embrace their power and sensuality," DKNY said. "Donna Karan is an icon, visionary designer and a passionate philanthropist. She believes in dressing and addressing women. Her impact on American fashion has been extraordinary and she will continue to influence and inspire for years to come."
"We honor Donna today and always," DKNY added. "We look forward to celebrating her past, present and future in her memoir, which is due out in October 2015."
Karan, 66, co-founded the company with her late husband, Stephen Weiss, and Takiyho Inc. in 1984. It went public in 1996, and in 2001, LVMH Moet Hennessey Louis Vuitton invested and helped grow DKNY into Donna Karan International.
The company said it will not seek to replace Karan as chief designer "at the present time." In April, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne were appointed creative directors of DKNY.