LIFESTYLES MAGAZINE AMERICA 2017 ISSUE 2017 | Seite 193

For Karan, it literally and creatively began in New York. She
was born into fashion on Long Island. Not only was her father
Gabby Faske (who died when Karan was three) a tailor, her
mother Helen was a showroom model and fashion sales rep. Even
Karan’s stepfather Harold Flaxman was in the fashion business.
So it was only natural that Karan, while still in high school, designed her first collection and staged her first show.
Following her second year at Parson’s School of Design, Karan
was hired by Anne Klein for a summer job. After three years as
an associate designer, Karan was named successor following
Klein’s death in 1974. Louis Dell’olio, a Parson’s friend, joined
her a year later. Together, they designed the Anne Klein Collection. In a foreshadow of DKNY, Karan created Anne Klein II in
1982, originating the concept of bridge and lifestyle dressing in
fashion.

After ten years of designing Anne Klein, Karan was ready to go
out on her own with the support of Weiss and partner Takiyho,
Inc. The owner of Anne Klein & Co. Fall 1985 saw the first
Donna Karan New York collection and the reaction from the
press and retailers proved once again that Karan made fashion
history.

Throughout her long career, Karan’s peers have acknowledged
her achievements with numerous accolades. The Council of Fashion Designers of America has saluted her six times; and most recently in 2010 she was nominated for their Womenswear
Designer of the Year Award. In 2003, Karan was the first American designer to receive Fashion Group International's "Super-

star Award." A year later, Karan's alma mater Parson's gave
her an honorary doctorate to commemorate her contribution to
the school and fashion industry, and in 2007, Glamour magazine
named Karan one of their Women of the Year.

Using her company’s visibility and resources for social causes is
a heartfelt priority. A member of CFDA’s board of directors,
Karan conceived and spearheaded its Seventh on Sale benefits to
raise funds for AIDS awareness and education. Karan