The Donna Dish

The Donna Karan wisdom continues. After listening to her and Ken Downing at the Neiman Marcus event in San Francisco, I have a newfound interest in draping and defining luxury. Donna also mentioned Michelle Obama ("Michelle Obama is an icon") and emphasized the importance of jewelry when she spoke of her years collaborating with Robert Lee Morris: "Jewelry is important. Accessories are extremely important." Oh, and my favorite Donna quote? "Glamour — I forgot the word glamour!" Here's more Donna dish:

• Donna on draping: She always makes her skirts wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. "Draping is how fabric wraps around your body and accents the positive and hides the negative."




• Donna defines luxury: There is a difference between seeing something and wearing it, and to her, wearing is luxury. It's the difference of seeing and touching. This year was the most challenging year. It's important to not deny it and have consciousness about it. "I feel luxury is how we care for ourselves and other human beings."

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Stella McCartney and now Donna Karan — looks like San Francisco is emerging as a fashion center.

When I think of Donna Karan, here's what comes to mind: draping, bodysuits, DKNY, womanly, classic, zen. When I met Donna Karan at a recent event at Neiman Marcus in SF, all those thoughts flooded me. But it wasn't overwhelming because Donna calmed me down with a (zen) fashion mantra: "Fashion is not all about what's on the outside. It's what you wear on the inside that also counts." I pondered that all day . . .

Prepondering, I witnessed an intimate runway show of her Fall collection. The charming senior vice president and fashion director of Neiman's, Ken Downing, served as co-maestro. Donna disclosed that she finds microphones "annoying. They're not genuine." And according to Downing, DK's collection was his high point at Fashion Week. "I love this collection," he said. On with the Donna!

• Donna on her Fall collection: Her collection was a reflection of the past, present, and future. It's also empowerment for women. It's not just about designing. It's necessary to be intentionally thoughtful.
• Donna on the resurgence of shoulder pads: "We've got a lot on our shoulders right now," DK said, referring to the economy. Ken said, "You can carry a lot more with those shoulder pads." Shoulder pads make hips appear narrower. Nobody gains weight on the shoulders, she said, referencing the cold shoulder dress.

To hear more Donna dish and to see more runway photos, read more