Book Reviewed: My Journey by Donna Karan

Donna Karan: A woman’s journey into the world of fashion

This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in the life and legacy of fashion designer Donna Karan. Her life is an extraordinary story of faith in her abilities and passion for her work. She is a woman who built $3 billion Empire, and designed for Jennifer Lopez, Reese Witherspoon, Hillary Clinton and many others. Karan is a wonderful raconteur as she glides through the ups and downs of her life. This story reminds me of another leading lady of the fashion industry, Diane von Furstenberg who built global business, creating an enduring brand that defined the world of haute couture. Diana Vreeland, the fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar and editor-in-chief of Vogue provided a significant sense of style in fashion industry in her autobiography and so did the Cosmopolitan editor Amy Odell who went behind the curtain of fashion business in her memoir. But Donna Karan spares no punches as she reveals her inner most feelings about the fashion industry, her own life and the world we live in.

Author Ingrid Sischy wrote a book about Donna Karan in 2004 and this was followed by as second edition in 2006 as a part of the "Universe of Fashion" series. This work published numerous photographs illustrating the work of Donna Karan. It was just a glimpse of Karan’s life and work in the fashion establishment that complemented art and design collections. But the present biography goes deeper into her personal and spiritual side of her life that spans almost five decades. Karan's family influence is apparent in her life. At 14 she dropped out of school to sell clothing at a local boutique, and in 1968 she was accepted into the highly respected Parsons School of Design in New York City. While in school, Karan landed in a summer job to work for designer Anne Klein. She became a great gofer, and within two years she was the associate designer, and then the head designer at 25, after the death of her mentor Anne Klein. Years later she left Anne Klein and started her own brand in 1985, and in 1988, she began an affordable fashion line, called Donna Karan New York (DKNY), a women's line that was influenced by her original signature collection. In 2006, when she met His Holiness, the Dalai Lama and she learnt that there was a need for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage of Tibet. She founded Urban Zen Foundation to raise awareness and inspire others in this cause. This foundation supports artists, healthcare and education in countries like Haiti. In 2015 she left her role as Lead Designer of DKNY to focus on Urban Zen Foundation. In a recent interview, Karan told journalist Barbara Walters that she never wanted to be working mom. This illustrates the challenges a woman faces to succeed in the business world. Struggling to balance family life with her husband and children, and managing a business empire is a true accomplishment. Many friends and journalists have said that Karan was selfish and crude with her employees and business associates. It is just the nature of things in the business world; you got to be shrewd! After all she was trying to survive in a male-dominated world.

There are some parallels in the life of Donna Karan and Diane von Furstenberg. The latter’s memoir also dealt with life, family, love, beauty and business. These two women devoted their lives to empowering women in all aspects of life, especially the business world. This gospel of female empowerment is reflected in their work and legacy. Donna Karan, like Diane von Furstenberg, is a princess of fashion in her own right.