Donna Karan, aka Donna Faske, was born in New York in 1948. A high school drop out, Karen's fashion career started with her selling clothes at a neighborhood boutique. Four years later she enrolled in the prestigious Parsons School of Design.
In 1968, Donna took up a summer job under famous designer Anne Klein. A couple of months later, Karan was fired because of what she claims were insecurities on the part of Klein. However, her summer efforts didn't go to waste, but drew the attention of designer Patti Appall, who under her tutelage, Karan blossomed as a designer.
In 1970, Donna Karan returned to Anne Klein. Karan was an employee when Klein died of cancer, in 1974. Donna Karan and classmate Dell 'Olio finished Anne Klein's collection and boosted Anne Klein designs into one of the most profitable designer sportswear companies in the USA.
In 1985, it was time for Donna Karan to unveil her own label named the Donna Karan Collection. In 1988, she started DKNY (or Donna Karan New York); a collection of mix-and-match business wear and matching accessories designed in classic, simple shapes which flattered the average female body - the reason why her designs remain popular today.
