DKNY History

The Donna Karan solo range DKNY was launched in 1984. To learn more about the DKNY brand and DKNY watches we need to know about the person who brought us DKNY. Born Donna Faske in New York, her mother was a model her father her habadasher. Donna married Mark Karan in 1974 their marriage ended and Donna went on to marry Steven Weiss who helped and supported the launch of her brand DKNY.

Donna Karan attended the prestigious Parsons School of design in New York.  A number of notable designers such as Tom Ford and Marc Jacobs came out of Parsons School of design. In the early days of her career Donna Karan worked with Anne Klein a well known American designer. When Anne Klein passed away, Donna Karen became head of her design team until 1989, with the help of Louis Dell’Olio, her classmate from Parsons School of design they turned Anne’s collection into one of the biggest designer sportswear companies in the USA.  During this time Donna won two prestigious Coty awards – the Oscars of the fashion world – and has been inducted into their Coty Hall of fame.

Donna Karan’s DKNY collection combines practical, comfortable clothes and accessories, which make a statement. Her DKNY watch designs are considered classics. Donna Karan still has an active role in DKNY and is chairwomen and designer in charge of products.