Karan, who has headed the label for over three decades, announced yesterday that she is stepping down. The 66-year-old released the below statement via WWD regarding the news:
"LVMH (which bought Donna Karan International back in 2001) and I have made this decision after much soul-searching... I have arrived at a point in my life where I need to spend more time to pursue my Urban Zen commitment to its fullest potential and follow my vision of philanthropy and commerce with a focus on health care, education, and preservation of cultures. After considering the right time to take this step for several years, I feel confident that DKI has a bright future and a strong team in place."
Karan co-founded the company with husband now deceased husband Stephan Weiss in 1984
Seemingly the designer "will remain a close adviser to DKI."
The label also released the below statement via their instagram, entitled: "Donna Karan's Next Journey." It reads:
After much thoughtful discussion and in partnership with Donna Karan International and LVMH, our visionary founder, Donna Karan, has made a personal decision to step down from her day-to-day responsibilities as Chief Designer for Donna Karan International. She will remain with the company in an advisory role and will dedicate her focus on her Urban Zen Company and foundation, which she founded in 2007. Over the past three decades, Donna Karan has inspired women around the world to embrace their power and sensuality. When she started her collection in 1985 she set out to simply make clothes for her and her friends. A little collection of simple black pieces that was all about need and desire. She quickly found out that she wasn't alone- she had a lot of friends out there. Her philosophy of a sophisticated system of dressing, 'her seven easy pieces' revolutionized the working woman's wardrobe. Donna Karan is an icon, visionary designer and a passionate philanthropist. She believes in dressing and addressing women. Her impact on American Fashion has been extraordinary and she will continue to influence and inspire for years to come. We honor Donna today and always. We look forward to celebrating her past, present and future in her memoir, which is due out in October 2015. #DonnaKaran
