Donna Karan is one of those fashion design names that I know I should know but I have to confess that I can’t actually picture any of her stuff. I’m curious to learn more about her and see if there’s any crochet in her work as the next installment in my Designer Crochet Project.
About Fashion Designer Donna Karan
First we’ll turn to the Donna Karan page in Simone Werle’s 50 Fashion Designers You Should Know
. The subtitle of her page tells me that “this New York designer is famous for comfortable chic and functional power dressing”. For her first independent collection in the mid-1980s she presented seven pieces of chic black clothing that could be combined in a variety of ways to create an easy stylish wardrobe. Since then she’s maintained a goal of creating clothing for women who want to look great without having to think too much about their clothes. She made a financial decision to give up the company in 2001 but the brand continues on today. I wonder if there’s any room for crochet in a no-nonsense brand like this? Let’s take a look …
Donna Karan Crochet
Donna Karan Crochet Kimono sold through Neiman Marcus
Vintage Donna Karan Crocheted Silk Purse. Via ebay.
DKNY Crochet Vest. Via Ruby Plaza.
Shirley Ephraim crochet necklace created for and sold through Donna Karan
Who is Kate Jenkins?
Kate Jenkins is a knitwear designer who sold designs to many great brands including Donna Karan before starting her own knit and crochet line called cardigan as well as her own crochet art collection. I thought I’d share some of her stuff here because of that Donna Karan fashion relationship:
Cardigan in Bloom Crochet Art Collection Specimen
Wearing Donna Karan with Crochet
Best bet: Wear a stylish pair of Donna Karan shoes with your handcrafted crochet:
Donna Karan I’d Love To See Reinvented in Crochet
Donna Karan knits are good inspiration for crochet
Donna Karan Knit and Taffeta Dress. I find the bow inspiring. Via Casual Cutie.
Do any of Donna Karan’s designs inspire you as a crocheter?