Donna Karan

Share
X (opens in a new tab) Threads (opens in a new tab)

Link copied

Could not copy. Select and copy the link below.

Primary categories

Related categories

Overview

Tagline

In Women We Trust
Donna Karan is a fashion brand founded in the United States in 1984 by designer Donna Karan and Stephan Weiss. Centered on womenswear, it offers ready-to-wear, menswear, accessories, and fragrance. Its philosophy, “System of Dressing,” is based on “Seven Easy Pieces” and advocates building a versatile wardrobe. Its signature lines include Donna Karan New York and DKNY. It was acquired by LVMH in 2001 and became part of G-III Apparel Group in 2016, and operates internationally.

Concept

A modern "System of Dressing" centered on interchangeable wardrobe staples (Seven Easy Pieces), offering accessible luxury for the modern woman.

Donna Karan characteristics

Donna Karan: 9 style characteristics Traits further from the centre are more prominent within this brand. Distance is not a score, and the area does not indicate brand quality or rank. Minimal & basics Polished & dressy Luxury & heritage Avant-garde & designer Decoration & playfulness Streetwear Trends & youth culture Sporty & sportswear Outdoor & functional

Main traits of Donna Karan

Minimal & basics
Minimal design and clean everyday staples.
Polished & dressy
Clean silhouettes and polished, elegant dressing.
Luxury & heritage
Position in the luxury market and connections to fashion history and culture.

Based on an analysis of 1,232 brands across 97 criteria, this chart shows the characteristics of Donna Karan relative to overall brand tendencies.

This chart does not define a brand’s expression or rank brands.

Related brands

Parent brands and sub-brands, ordered by founding year.

Related brands
6 brands
Founded
1984-2025
1984 Sub-brand
Donna Karan New York
Clothing

The brand’s core, primary prêt-à-porter line

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

Donna Karan New York is the brand’s main ready-to-wear line, developed from “Seven Easy Pieces,” introduced by Donna Karan in 1985. It carries forward the “System of Dressing” concept of organizing a wardrobe and has offered prêt-à-porter centered on jackets and bodysuits. In recent years, following a change in ownership, a rebranding drawing on the archive has been underway.

1989 Sub-brand
DKNY
Clothing

A representative diffusion line for younger consumers

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

DKNY (Donna Karan New York) is a diffusion line for younger consumers launched by Donna Karan in 1989. Centered on casualwear, denim, sportswear, and accessories reflecting New York’s urban lifestyle, it has been central to the business as a brand group encompassing various derivative lines, including DKNY Jeans, DKNY Active, and DKNY Men. The brand is currently owned by G-III Apparel Group.

1991 Sub-brand
DKNY Jeans
Clothing

A denim- and casualwear-focused line

DKNY Jeans is a denim- and casualwear-focused line derived from DKNY, and has offered prod

DKNY Jeans is a denim- and casualwear-focused line derived from DKNY, and has offered product ranges centered on denim alongside subcategories organized by age and lifestyle. As one element of DKNY’s diffusion-line structure, it serves the street-oriented casual market.

1992 Sub-brand
Donna Karan Beauty
Fragrance

A line that expands the brand’s reach through fragrance

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

Donna Karan Beauty (fragrance) is a perfume and beauty division launched in 1992. Through a lineup that includes signature products such as Cashmere Mist, it has contributed to expanding the brand’s lifestyle reach. Its fragrance business is distributed in international markets through licensing and retail.

2001 Sub-brand
Donna Karan Home
Lifestyle products

A home line extending into living spaces

Donna Karan Home is a home collection launched in 2001, offering living-space products suc

Donna Karan Home is a home collection launched in 2001, offering living-space products such as bedding, textiles, and home accessories under the Donna Karan name. It serves to broaden the brand’s lifestyle offering by translating its approach to materials and color, developed through fashion, into living spaces.

2025 Sub-brand
Donna Karan Weekend
Clothing

A relaxed line that complements everyday wear

Donna Karan Weekend is a casual/leisure-oriented capsule line introduced as part of the br

Donna Karan Weekend is a casual/leisure-oriented capsule line introduced as part of the brand’s rebranding and line expansion. Centered on relaxed silhouettes made with natural materials such as linen and cotton, it serves to complement the wardrobe with everyday pieces that can be worn from weekends through weekdays, and is presented through the official website and information from its owner, G-III.

Collaboration partners

Dates and partner brands

All collaborations
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.

2013.01.31

Opening Ceremony

DKNY × Opening Ceremony’s first capsule collection. Centered on logo T-shirts, jumpsuits, puffers, and other pieces reworking 1990s archives. Released exclusively at OC’s concept store and online.

Brands with shared characteristics

Brands that share a country of origin, founding period, category or designer.

Frequently asked questions about Donna Karan

Country of origin, founding year, categories and parent brands.

Related keywords

Wearers and lines

Related links