To celebrate the launch of the DKNY EXCLUSIVELY FOR OC collection, we asked a legendary model, two of the industry's best vintage collectors, and a major photographer to share their recollections of this iconic brand.
"I found out about DKNY by booking the show in 1994. I always walked the Donna Karan and DKNY shows back then. I still remember Donna scolding me for being late (I was at McDonald’s, across from the tents) while she was painting my toenails for the show. Donna is hands-on and full of SPIRIT. I think DKNY represents this part of her. The 1995 DKNY show was the first time I got to walk as a bride, hand-in-hand, with my then model girlfriend. "—Jenny Shimizu
“DKNY: I knew that four-letter combination before I knew who Donna Karan was. The women who rocked DKNY were alpha females. They were the leaders of the pack with style, sex appeal, and confidence. I always like going through my collection of 90s DKNY clothing—the color blocking, fabrics, silhouettes, and graphics were amazing.”—Brian Procell
"In the small upstate New York town where I grew up, there was a dress code that lasted for about 10 years: Keds, skin-tight stonewashed blue jeans tucked into socks, and big feathery hair. But my mother had a friend who lived in Manhattan, and I asked him to bring me this orange DKNY jumpsuit with gold writing up the side—the one you guys made in BLACK AND WHITE. I remember wearing it to school and, of course, no one had any idea what it was. The brand was about being sporty yet urban and stylish. In 1998, I moved to New York and got a job in Soho. Every morning I took the subway to the Broadway and Lafayette stop by the DKNY mural. I would look at it and think, I'm here!“—KT AULETA
"DKNY had a profoundly important effect. It took the way of Donna Karan dressing––that downtown, chic, all-black vibe––and made it more accessible and youthful. It represented that aspirational New York cool. Donna Karan was the first one to make branded activewear, creating clothes that came out of 80s gym culture. Now every brand does it––Versace, Prada… You could even say that the return of the leggings was thanks to the DKNY look of fashion inspired by athletics." ––CAMERON SILVER
Shop all DKNY Exclusively for OC here.![]()
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"I found out about DKNY by booking the show in 1994. I always walked the Donna Karan and DKNY shows back then. I still remember Donna scolding me for being late (I was at McDonald’s, across from the tents) while she was painting my toenails for the show. Donna is hands-on and full of SPIRIT. I think DKNY represents this part of her. The 1995 DKNY show was the first time I got to walk as a bride, hand-in-hand, with my then model girlfriend. "—Jenny Shimizu
“DKNY: I knew that four-letter combination before I knew who Donna Karan was. The women who rocked DKNY were alpha females. They were the leaders of the pack with style, sex appeal, and confidence. I always like going through my collection of 90s DKNY clothing—the color blocking, fabrics, silhouettes, and graphics were amazing.”—Brian Procell
"In the small upstate New York town where I grew up, there was a dress code that lasted for about 10 years: Keds, skin-tight stonewashed blue jeans tucked into socks, and big feathery hair. But my mother had a friend who lived in Manhattan, and I asked him to bring me this orange DKNY jumpsuit with gold writing up the side—the one you guys made in BLACK AND WHITE. I remember wearing it to school and, of course, no one had any idea what it was. The brand was about being sporty yet urban and stylish. In 1998, I moved to New York and got a job in Soho. Every morning I took the subway to the Broadway and Lafayette stop by the DKNY mural. I would look at it and think, I'm here!“—KT AULETA
"DKNY had a profoundly important effect. It took the way of Donna Karan dressing––that downtown, chic, all-black vibe––and made it more accessible and youthful. It represented that aspirational New York cool. Donna Karan was the first one to make branded activewear, creating clothes that came out of 80s gym culture. Now every brand does it––Versace, Prada… You could even say that the return of the leggings was thanks to the DKNY look of fashion inspired by athletics." ––CAMERON SILVER
Shop all DKNY Exclusively for OC here.
