BEHIND THE LENS

PROFILE OF A TOP DESIGNER – MEET DONNA

KARAN
From up-and-coming to household
names, there are many fashion
designers across the globe that we
need to know. What really is the true
career path behind the scenes in the
life of a top fashion designer? Is the
path as glamorous as we think?
Today we take an inside peek of the
profile of designer Donna Karan.

Donna Karan, an international fashion

designer, originally planned on being a
stay-at-home mom until an unexpected turn in her life led her to becoming the head of
the Anne Klein at only 25 years of age. Today, with thirty years in the exclusive fashion
industry, Donna Karen redefined woman’s fashion with her famous Donna Karan label,
bringing New York chic into the mainstream.

Donna Karan (born Donna Ivy Faske) was born in Lake Forest, New York on October
2nd, 1948. Growing up with a model mother and a stepfather making a living as a suit
designer; fashion was clearly an influence in her life. By age 14, she had dropped out of
school and was working in a local fashion boutique selling clothes. In 1968, Karan was
accepted in the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City and while
attending was offered a summer job working for Anne Klein. Her work was so impressive
she earned the title of Associate Designer within her first two years.

While married to second husband, painter and sculptor Stephen Weiss, she left the label
and debuted her first woman’s collection in 1985. From the very beginning of career,
Donna Karan’s mission has been to “design modern clothes for modern people.” During
this time, there was an increased number of professional women entering the workplace
and as a result her timing could not have been more perfect.

In 1988, she realized the need for a more affordable women’s fashion line and launched
Donna Karan New York (DKNY). In 1992, the designer launched her first designer
clothing line for men. Today there is a wide variety of products under the DKNY label
from children’s clothing to furniture. In 2001, she sold her company to Louis Vuitton while
staying on as the head designer.

Over the years, Donna Karan has received multiple awards. In 2003, she became the
first American to ever receive Fashion Group International’s “Superstar Award.” Today
she is still involved in many philanthropic organizations and resides in New York.
VOCABULARY

-up and coming, e.g. lawyer, neighbourhood

-a household name, e.g. She´s a household name in fashion industry.

-lead – led – led, e.g. Bad work relationships led me to a career change.

-impressive, e.g. results, presentation, website, designer

-affordable, e.g. clothes, meal, service × unaffordable

-to stay on, e.g. Although she sold the company, she stayed on as a designer.

-to earn, e.g. a prize, an award, a title

READING COMPREHENSION
TASK 1: Read paragraphs 1-3. Give information about these topics:
-stay-at-home mum
-Anne Klein
-suit designer
-early studies

TASK 2: Read the rest of the article. Are these statements true or false?
1. Karan has always aimed to design rather traditional clothes.
2. Karan refuses to offer affordable clothes.
3. In the 1990s, Karan started offering male clothes as well.
4. In the present, Karan sells various products.
5. Karan is considering selling her company.

GRAMMAR REVIEW 1
Explain the use of the forms in bold.
1. Her work was so impressive she earned the title … within her first two years.
2. From the very beginning, her mission has been to "design modern clothes…"
3. Over the years, Donna Karan has received multiple awards.
4. Today she resides in New York. (compare: These days, she´s residing in NY).
Make a conditional: If Karan ……………………. (not become) a fashion designer, she
……………….. probably …………….. (be) a stay-at-home mum.
Finish:
1. If I could talk to Karan, …
2. If I were a fashion designer, …
3. If I could buy anything from Karan, …
4. If I buy something to wear, …

GRAMMAR REVIEW 2
Fill in the gaps with the right word.
international – internationally
She sells her clothes …………………. . She´s an ………………… fashion designer.
clear – clearly
She was …….. influenced by her background.
It´s ………….. she was influenced by her background.
original – originally
Her ……………. plan was to stay at home. ………………., she planned to stay at home.
perfect – perfectly
I understood the talk ……………. . I listened to a ……………… talk.
professional – professionally
She works as a …………………… designer. She always behaves …………………. .