Donna Karan
She reinvented power dressing for women in the '80s with her seven essential pieces and figure-flattering designs. Donna Karan's empire now includes legwear, accessories, perfume and menswear and her influence on modern style is far-reaching.
Vital stats
Known for: Functional, flattering clothing for modern women and men
Born: October 2, 1948, Forest Hills, New York
Started in the business: 1967 with Anne Klein. Launched Donna Karan in 1985
Education: Parsons School of Design, New York
What you might not know about Donna Karan
She's one of the innovators of the "bridge" line (less expensive than designer goods, she launched DKNY in 1988)
Photographers staged a walk out on her Fall 2000 show because the tiny show space meant some press would be turned away.
The first DKNY flagship store opened in '99 at Madison Avenue and 60th in New York.
The woman she designs for: Women who have more important things to do than just worry about their wardrobes.
Notable quote: "Sometimes fashion moves from the moment to the moment to the moment," Karan says. "But where is the integrity in design?" -- Detroit News
Famous clients
Barbra Streisand, Demi Moore, Bill Clinton
How you can get the look
Donna Karan's signature color is black, but look for pure whites and flashes of rich color.
Aim for tailored, but sleek designs; the look is polished, but feminine, as in A-line dresses and belted sweaters.
She's been called a master of disguise, so take advantage of a bag of tricks to draw attention to good areas and skim over problem body parts: plunging necklines, one-shoulder gowns, strapless shifts, sheer layered pieces and more.
Add tactile interest with color and texture -- leathers, velvets, pleats -- rather than ornamentation.
Choose styles that are classics in updated fabrics. Karan's styles are never trendy, but always manage to look modern.
Tags: karan donna moment designs modern color women styles launched flattering