DKNY Bags and Purses

DKNY purses and the DKNY line of fashion clothing and accessories were founded by Donna Karan, (Faske) of New York.  This is also the name that the initials DKNY stand for, Donna Karan New York.  Donna was born in 1948, and dropped out of high school to sell clothing at a neighborhood boutique.  A few years later she enrolled in the famous Parsons School of Design.

Karan's life was involved in fashion from the very beginning, her father, Gabby Faske, who passed away when Donna was only three, was a tailor and her mother Helen was a showroom model and a fashion sales representative.  Her stepfather Harold Flaxman was in the fashion business also so it was only natural that Karan developed an interest in fashion design.  While still in high school, Donna designed her first collection and staged her first fashion show.

Donna took a summer job in 1968 for the famous designer Anne Klein and later she worked as an associate designer for AK.  Karan was named successor following Klein's death and in 1974.  Louis De ll'Olio, a friend from Parson's, joined her a year later.  Working together, they designed the Anne Klein Collection.  Karan created Anne Klein II in 1982 but after ten years of designing for Anne Klein, Karan was ready to go out on her own with the support of her husband Stephan Weiss and her partner, the owner of Anne Klein & Co.  The first Donna Karan New York Collection was introduced in1985 and the reaction from the press and retailers proved that Karan was on the right track.

Karan's DKNY purse, clothing, and accessory line is based on seven easy pieces, where the interchangeable items work together to create an entire wardrobe that goes from day to evening, week day to weekend.  Donna credits the popularity of her designs with her femininity "That I'm a woman makes me want to nurture others, fulfill needs and solve problems.  At the same time, the artist within me strives for beauty, both sensually and visually.  So design is a constant challenge to balance comfort with luxury, the practical with the desirable."

DKNY purses have this same no nonsense, yet feminine aura, and are an affordable luxury item. The purses are made of soft nappa leather, synthetic materials and are beautiful yet practical and functional. The nappa leather Hobo is constructed of soft ruched Napa leather with a knotted detail on a single shoulder strap.  It has a top zip closure and is canvas lined with interior wall pockets.  A very affordable DKNY purse is the Urban Fusion small cross body purse.  This purse is constructed of nylon with leather trim, and has the DKNY purse hangtag on the long strap.