The fashion designer Donna Karan is my pick for today for 'Designer Week'.  I have been a fan of hers for many years, and love her easy to wear, feminine clothes.  Donna Karan's designs are great for women - the shape and flow of her designs are flattering on all shapes, and of course there is the famous draping that she is known for!  The draping of her dresses is simply beautiful.  Elegant, classy & wearable.  Here is more about the talented Donna Karan.

Born in 1948 in Queens, New York, her upbringing was tailored for a career in fashion!  Her mother was a showroom model and her step-father was a suit maker.

Such influences were not wasted on the young Karan, and she was admitted to the prestigious Parson's School of Design in 1968.  While attending the school, she managed to get a summer job working for designer Anne Klein.  Her work was so impressive that within two years she was promoted to associate designer.  By the tender age of 14 she was already selling clothes on Cedarhurst in New York!  Pretty impressive.

A further boost came when she was made head designer at the age of 26.  She remained at the helm of the fashion house in New York until 1985, when she decided to strike out on her own, and 'Donna Karan New York' was founded.  She went from strength to strength, and her debut line was so impressive she was named designer of the year.

In 1988, she made the decision to branch out and create DKNY, a less expensive brand, which was aimed at the younger market.  Such was the success of this line, she followed it with the launch of DKNY Jeans in 1990 and two years later she launched DKNY for men. 

Donna Karan's success in the fashion world is evident.  Her labels are major fashion powerhouses and she is respected as one of the world's foremost designers.  Her designs are worn by many big celebrities, more famously Barbra Streisand who is regularly seen in her designs.  She prides herself on making durable, wearable clothing, inspired by the bustling and hectic lifestyle of New York.

Here are some of her classic designs....