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SUBU vs Donna Karan: similarities and differences

Compare brand traits, similarities and differences.

Reference brand: SUBU Swap brands

SUBU

Japan Founded 2016

Outdoor & functional · Minimal & basics · Polished & dressy

Donna Karan

United States Founded 1984

Minimal & basics · Polished & dressy · Luxury & heritage

Similarities and differences

Shared traits

  • Both brands show traits of Minimal & basics.
  • Both brands show traits of Polished & dressy.

Different traits

  • Outdoor & functional

    SUBU shows a stronger emphasis

  • Luxury & heritage

    Donna Karan shows a stronger emphasis

This pair is not included in the similar brands recommendations.

Trait comparison

  • SUBU (solid line, circles)
  • Donna Karan (dashed line, squares)
Traits of SUBU and Donna Karan, shown relative to each brand.
How to read the chart

Traits farther from the centre are more prominent within each brand. The chart uses the same relative display as the brand profile. Area does not indicate brand quality or absolute differences between brands.

Traits by category

Bar lengths show how prominent each trait is within each brand.

  • SUBU
  • Donna Karan
Minimal & basics
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Polished & dressy
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Luxury & heritage
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Avant-garde & designer
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Decoration & playfulness
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Streetwear
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Trends & youth culture
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Sporty & sportswear
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand
Outdoor & functional
SUBU：Relative prominence within the brand
Donna Karan：Relative prominence within the brand

Basic information

Field
SUBU
Donna Karan
Country Japan United States
Founded 2016 1984
Category Footwear Clothing
Other categories — Bags Accessories Footwear Eyewear Fragrance Lifestyle products

— indicates information that is not available.

Brand profiles

Brand lines

SUBU

  • SUBU NANNEN

    Within SUBU’s lineup, this outdoor-oriented derivative line is designed for use near fires, such as ...

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  • SUBU VAMP

    A derivative line positioned as an “evolved” version of SUBU, building on its signature comfort with...

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  • SUBU amp

    A premium label launched by SUBU in 2018, this derivative line is centered on “premium basics,” elev...

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  • SUBU RE:COLLECTION

    Re: is a spin-off line developed by SUBU as a sustainable collection that “moves forward toward the ...

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Donna Karan

  • Donna Karan New York

    Donna Karan New York is the brand’s main ready-to-wear line, developed from “Seven Easy Pieces,” int...

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  • DKNY

    DKNY (Donna Karan New York) is a diffusion line for younger consumers launched by Donna Karan in 198...

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  • DKNY Jeans

    DKNY Jeans is a denim- and casualwear-focused line derived from DKNY, and has offered product ranges...

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  • Donna Karan Weekend

    Donna Karan Weekend is a casual/leisure-oriented capsule line introduced as part of the brand’s rebr...

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  • Donna Karan Beauty

    Donna Karan Beauty (fragrance) is a perfume and beauty division launched in 1992. Through a lineup t...

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  • Donna Karan Home

    Donna Karan Home is a home collection launched in 2001, offering living-space products such as beddi...

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Collaborations

SUBU

  • 2025-11-28

    TOGA

    TOGA and SUBU’s first collaboration, featuring winter sandals that incorporate TOGA’s coin metal and Western motifs/graphics into SUBU slip-ons with brushed lining and a four-layer insole.

  • A.P.C.

    A.P.C. × SUBU (November 2024): two styles of winter sandals. Available in A.P.C.-like colors and materials, including black and khaki, they are also ideal as year-end gifts.

SUBU collaborations

Donna Karan

  • 2019-07-24

    Kenneth Cole

    Donna Karan’s Urban Zen and Kenneth Cole’s Gentle Souls jointly released limited-edition footwear. Approximately 10 styles featuring details such as embroidery and braiding that draw on Haitian craftsmanship were presented in July 2019.

  • 2018-12-03

    Swarovski

    A long-term licensing/collaboration between DKNY and Swarovski for crystal-embellished fashion jewelry, with a line inspired by urban New York intended for international markets.

  • 2015-03-07

    PONY

    A limited-edition sneaker collaboration between DKNY and PONY. The collection features a unisex model based on the M-100 high-top, launched on March 7 following a launch party.

  • 2014-02-10

    Opening Ceremony

    The third collaboration with Opening Ceremony. The collection centers on logos based on DKNY archives from the 1990s and sporty accessories. It can be worn by people of any gender and is available exclusively in stores and online.

Donna Karan collaborations

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