A Chat and a Show with Donna Karan

"Invite Donna Karan to Chicago," said Neiman Marcus Fashion Director Ken Downing to an eager, buzzing crowd of fashionable Chicago women, "and the world shows up."

The cause that drew the legendary designer (who is celebrating the 25th anniversary of her namesake line this year) to the Windy City on Friday, August 27 was a runway showing of her Fall 2010 collection--a store-sized version of her recent show in New York's fashion week. Donna and Ken narrated the show on the 2nd floor of Neiman Marcus Michigan Avenue, which combined several fall trends with Donna's timeless approach to dressing: seasonless items, menswear-inspired fabrics, ruffles and lace, structure, bias-cut pants, and of course, black, black and more black. Models in slicked-back hair, black headbands and stricking red lips dazzled the crowd of Chicagoans, who ranged from local fashion legends to devoted Neiman Marcus customers to long-time Donna Karan fans who peppered the after-show Q&A with personal stories about how Donna Karan's fashions have influenced their style.

I was lucky enough to chat with the designer before the show. While you'll have to wait until the October issue of TCW to get the full scoop her Urban Zen project and other philanthropic efforts, I did ask her a few of the questions our fans left on TCW's Facebook page, and am happy to share her answers. Plus, below, check out a few of the items from the show, with Donna and Ken's thoughts on the pieces.

TCW: Fashion changes so quickly. How do you think you’ve managed to stay in the industry for so long, and adapt and appeal to such a wide audience? (From Facebook fan April Jones)
Donna Karan: I feel that I, my clothes, really do work for the human body. It’s about the woman’s body. How to accent her positive, her negative, and give her a wardrobe that has pieces. You know, add a scarf. Add a change. Add a piece of jewelry. It’s not complicated. I think I understand it from her point of view. Sometimes, some really modern...This collection that’s out is a very modern collection, and that’s why I have my Urban Zen collection that kind of balances my life a little bit. And then I have DKNY. And, you know, I’m able to sort of navigate the courses.

What advice would you give a woman who’s just starting out in the design business and beginning to blossom? (From Facebook Fan Heather GoosieGirl)
Retail, retail, retail. Go to the store. Understand the customer. That is the most important thing. I would say any designer to get going into business the first thing you should do is work in a retail store. That’s the only place you’re truly going to understand, not about you, but about what the customer needs.

What advice would you give to teen girls who want to dress with a sense of style and self-respect, when popular influences today don’t necessarily drive them towards that? (From Facebook Fan Ellie Abrams)
Oh, my God. That’s why I say, 'I have to get into schools' [with her education-driven projects]. It drives me crazy. I think we all need our self-expression. That’s really important. And I do think, I’m not saying conservative. I have a granddaughter and I want her to find her own way, the ups and downs of life, and all of that. So not to be that constrictive, but if you’re aware of what you really want, you’ll do it. I mean, you’ve got the ability to accent that part of you. What makes you truly happy, you know, what are the things that really bring that smile on your face?

What are your suggestions for professional women? (From Facebook fan Elif Oker )
I think a woman who is constantly on the move, constantly on the go, needs clothes that can take her from day into evening, you know, really wear. And [they] have to really, really feel comfortable.

Be sure to check out your October Today's Chicago Woman, on stands on September 28, for more from our interview with Donna Karan. Fan us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to stay updated!

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Cassandra A. Gaddo is managing editor and electronic media editor of Today's Chicago Woman. She is active in various local and national women’s groups, including Step Up Women's Network and the TCW Foundation, and is a member of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs’ Young Professionals Initiative. She writes and speaks about women's issues at the local, national and international level, including in her blog, “Twice As Well."