Final Report - Analyzing Donna Karan

Donna Karan's Design Principle and Inspirations

As Donna Karan is an environmental care person, she does not use real leather or any furs. Fabrics used are mainly made of wool, natural and synthetic fiber.
Donna Karan creates styles for the career woman; styles she says she feels comfortable in. She used a lot of stretch fabrics and sensuous body wrap styles.
Her designs are never been just about clothes. It's about lifestyles.
Donna Karan's designs show that clothes should be interchangeable and flexible enough to go “from day to evening, summer to winter”. She finds her inspirations in the New York City and the global environment. She has reflected her care and interest of the things happening around her in her designs. New York features are shown in the fall winter collections, while the spring summer collections reflects her care about the natural environment

Use of Color

Usually, there are no more than 3 color combinations in a single of her collection and there are no more than 3 colors in a single outfit. Except the Graffiti prints in Spring 2006.

The principle of familiarity is one of her most used coloring theory.

She loved to use natural colors and features in her collection as these designs are popular among successful career women, because they do pay attention to the decaying environment as Donna Karan.

In fall winter seasons, Black & Grey are usually used as the main colors (Achromatic). In order to interest audiences' eyes, Black & Grey are shown in different textures. Brown, Red or Purple is usually added to the Black/Grey pieces, as they are common "Mistress Color". The 3 colors are applied to give a sense of warmth in the winter collections. These matches well with each other in the form of Analogous. In Fall 2007, Blue is added to the collection to make the scene cooler. Purple & Burgundy is also applied.

In each collection, 1-3 pieces of designs are out of the color family featured. For example, the Shimmering Yellow one-piece in Fall 2007 and the Lime dress in Spring 2004. Using colors outside the color family may interests audiences' eyes and can experiment Donna Karan's target customers' acceptance in new color.

Final Report - Inspirations

THEME: Become a POWER WOMAN

America is at the downturn since the 911 impact. Economic has even gone down in September 2008, due to the Financial Crisis.

Though sky is black, but there's always twilight penetrating through the black clouds. Hope is there for you, but you need to strive for it. In this current society, woman should no longer hide herself at home to be a lovely wife, but should balance herself being a wife, mother and business person. Every woman can be a “Power Woman”, as long as one strives for it.

In the 80s, there are many Power Women.

Lady Diana Spencer – Married Prince Charles in 1980 and she is one of the famous Fashion Icon in the 90s

Geraldine Ferraro – Runs with Waliter Mondale for US presidency.

Donna Karan – Founds her own label in 1984, and now she is one of the famous world designers.

Donna Karan founds her own label in 1984 and she dresses the business woman in comfortable, stylish and versatile clothes for all times of the day. This collection is a refinement of her 80s' Power Dressing.

Final Report - Collection

Collection is based on my own and Donna Karan's original designing principle. As this is a Fall collection, base on Donna Karan, this collection should include New York features. Being a Power Woman in the Metropolitan City, New York, a 2-piece suit is a must. The box shoulder of the suit represents power. The seven pieces of design have included some masculine features or items, double breasted overcoat, refined Homberg Hat, oversized shirt, and Derby Hat could be found in this collection. Clothing are designed for any occasion from day to evening, designs are fashionable but suitable for any business occasion. They are flexible and interchangeable. Clothing are trendy but never out of professional.

Silhouette of the collection are slightly boxed and pointed, instead of soft rounded. This is to show the power and professionalism. Though collection is of simple design but with one or two pieces of accessories added, femininity is kept.

No pattern is shown in this collection, as Donna Karan barely use pattern design in her collections. Following Donna Karan’s practice, no more than 3 colors used for each individual design.

Final Report - Color

The Six color chosen are: Bright Orange, Brown, Burgundy, Purple, Grey and Black.

Orange, Brown, Burgundy and Purple are Analogous, which is one of Donna Karan’s favorite color principles. These four colors are of the same value and intensity. The color combination is harmony.

Orange
Ambition, fun, happy, energetic, balance, flamboyant, warmth, enthusiasm, generosity, vibrant, expansive, organic

Orange was shown because it matches with my inspiration, striving for hope. As orange is warm, it gives a sense that hope is reachable as long as you put effort; hope is not cold and far from your expectations. Also, orange have not been shown in the previous collection. This is used to experiment the target customers' acceptance, just like the Blue and Yellow used previously.

Brown
Stability, masculinity, reliability, comfort, endurance, simplicity, friendship

Brown was chosen because woman wanted to be accepted by others to be a Power Woman. Brown gives an impression of masculinity but at the same time it is a welcoming color. This let others think that you are a reliable and trustworthy friend.

Burgundy
Vigar, elegance, richness, refinement, leadership, maturity, expensive

Burgundy was added to the collection because a Power Woman wanted to let others think that she could be a leader in professionalism. It also adds elegance to the collection.

Purple
Spirituality, royalty, mystery, wisdom, transformation, independence, enlightenment, respect, wealth

Purple will reinforce the independence of a Power Woman, and would earn respect from the others.

Grey and Black are continued to use to keep Donna Karan’s practice. Actually, all the colors selected in the collection are very often used by Donna Karan, but they are of different value and intensity.

Monochromatic

Analogous

The other five pieces used one single color together with either grey or black. Achromatic was not used because I would like to differentiate this collection with Donna Karan's previous collections.

Experiencing Color 1

At the beginning I have sketched 8 designs. However, after trying out the coloring. I think that one of the design doesn't match with the theme and other styles, so I have dropped the circled one.

Experiencing Color 2

Experiencing Color 3

Color Exercise No.04

Donna Karan - Monochromatic (Fall Collection)

Donna Karan - Monochromatic (Spring Collection)

Donna Karan - Analogous (Fall Collection)