A Fond Farewell to Donna Karan

When I checked my Twitter feed a couple of days ago, I did not expect to hear the surprising news that Donna Karan was stepping down as chief director of her self titled company, Donna Karan. I mean she's only 66, Karl Lagerfeld is still going and he's 81, but Karan has stated that she wants to focus more on her philanthropic duties, which of course is understandable. Yet, her presence at NYFW will be missed. Her big grin as she comes out for her bow at the end of the show and the way in which she spoke so passionately about her clothes. Then there are her incredible collections. All New York glam but with a more practical twist. It's fair to say that I'm a fan!

Donna started her fashion company way back in 1984 and was the designer of the 90's with her sexy, power dressing wardrobe. She said that a woman only needs 7 key pieces in her wardrobe in order to look good, and that was it. Think tailored jackets, pencil skirts, crisp white shirts and sexy stilettos - every working woman of the 90s was inspired by Donna Karan and like many great designers, she left her mark on the way which we dress.

In 2001, the luxury fashion group LVMH invested considerably in the company and helped it grow into the empire it is today. Perfumes, sunglasses, scarves, bags etc. the list goes on. DKNY became one of the most sought after and popular brands in the world with the likes of Rita Ora and Cara Delevingne modelling campaigns for them. And as for the perfumes, well they are like the most well known on the planet.'Be Delicious' as modeled by Lara Stone, the famous 'DKNY' perfume campaign starring Anja Rubik kissing her boyfriend on the top of a New York taxi and the fresh 'Pure DK' fragrance.

Okay, lets stop reminiscing about the good old times, but Donna Karan really was a visionary and so respected by many. Her most recent collections have certainly got my seal of approval with all the majestic, khaki colours and amazingly flattering silhouettes. Everything was always so natural and clean, the clothes especially the dresses were stunning and very womanly and as for the accessories; they were so beautiful. All the top models walked for her and all the most glam celebrities were perched on the front row. what i find surprising about Karan's exit, is that no new creative director has yet been named and the brand will not show at NYFW in September. Let just hope they don't discontinue the company...

The designer said in a statement: "Donna Karan New York is a part of me, past, present and future," she said in the statement. "It has been an honour to speak woman to woman about seven easy pieces that forever changed the way women dress...I have arrived at a point in my life where I need to spend more time to pursue my Urban Zen commitment to its fullest potential."

Let's take a look back at some of Karan's most iconic moments!

#NYFW - Day 6

Marchesa
As light as a feather - this collection was, as always with Marchesa, absolutely beautiful. With a strong 1920's theme, ostrich feather dresses were soft and light while the decorative lace column dresses had Oscars written all over them. The tassels were amazing as were the sweeping dresses and glam earrings which the models wore, complete with 20's cropped hair styles. I also sensed a little flamenco style seeping through some opening looks, with fiery red and black ensembles adding a touch of drama for next season.

Anna Sui
Gigi Hadid added a touch of Californian chic as she opened this very 70's Anna Sui show. If anything, this was a classically warm, winter show full of fur hats, cosy coats, cardigans and lots of woolly layers. There was a care free, Navajo spirit to some of the looks while bohemian necklaces and harem pants gave us a bit of hippy cool. Peace man!

Micahel Kors
Opened by Russian supermodel Natasha Poly, this Kors show was awash with only the best models. Karlie Kloss, Karmen Pedaru, Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Hanne Gaby Odiele all took their turn on the catwalk probing what a huge name at NYFW Michael Kors has proved to be. This was a very autumnal collection with all the right beige and camel shades with plenty of fur. Grey was also a key colour, with the everyday working woman being a centre point of this show. From the trench coats to the smart suits, the floor skimming evening gowns to the natural, dewy make up of the models; this collection oozed American style.

Oscar de la Renta
This show should have been tinged with sadness at the passing of such an amazing designer as de la Renta was, but instead the clothes brought back so many beautiful memories celebrating his incredible fashion life by new designer Peter Copping. From the floral embroidered dresses to the slender coats in dark navy, this was grown up and elegant. The taffeta ball gowns at the end, reminiscent of Christian Lacroix, were bright and bold as were the striped suit ensembles. Necklines were high and unrevealing yet skirts showed off plenty of leg below the knee, resulting in a feminine silhouette which captured the essence of Oscar.

 

Rodarte

In recent years, Kate and Laura Mullevy of Rodarte have never seized to inspire. And yet again with their fall 2016 collection, there were plenty of amazing pieces. I loved the fur parka coats styled with simple silk tops and skinny leather trousers while the cut-out mini skirts added a touch of biker chic. If anything, some shapes were quite similar to Parisian heavy weight Balmain, but the colours and style were overall sci-fi and beautiful. A fab collection and the styling was spot on.

 

 

 

Badgley Mischka

With a hint of 60's va va voom and a touch of Bardot (hair wise) this collection was fun yet elegant. From the metallic mermaid gowns to the tweed A-line suits and the a-symmetric dresses, these clothes were defiantly red carpet ready. Some colours were sumptuous such as the rich golds and reds while others were sheer and delicate with appliques patterns sewn neatly onto shoulders and arms. I really enjoyed looking through the looks of this show and loved the closing dresses.

 

 

Donna Karan

Is there anything this lady can't do? Even though there was a lot of black throughout this collection, nothing could distract the fashion press from the gorgeous khaki coats and elegant belted trousers. Everything came with a belt in this show, nipping in the waist to accentuate the big shoulders and tiny frames of the models. It was slick and powerful, especially the brown fur bomber jacket and the over sized coat which opened the show. If only I was rich...