BERNADETTE PETERS
Actress Bernadette Peters wore Donna Karan Atelier to The 67th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 9, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Jemal Countess/WireImage for Tony Awards Productions
ANNA KENDRICK
Actress Anna Kendrick wore a custom made Donna Karan Atelier gown to The 67th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 9, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Tony Awards Productions
KARLIE KLOSS
Model Karlie Kloss wore Donna Karan Spring 2013 Look 40 to the 2013 Gordon Parks Foundation Awards at The Plaza Hotel on June 4, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Ben Gabbe/Getty Images
The Handcrafted Belt
A Jason Ross’ hand-crafting process is as unique as the belts he designs. Once Donna and design director Peter Speliopoulos set the season’s mood, Jason and his team develop prototypes in the spirit of the collection, inspired by their archive of antiques, old tools and images sourced from museums and libraries. They fashion working prototypes, each with original custom-designed buckles, which are narrowed to final selections by Donna and Peter. Then the magic begins. Each belt is entirely hand-assembled using tools that leatherworkers have used for centuries. The strap is individually cut from a full leather hide, then carefully hand-dyed in up to four coats to fit the season’s color story. An exclusive combination of oils and waxes are applied to the leather for its signature luxurious look and feel. The buckle, cast in solid brass or nickel silver, is hand-finished to achieve the uniquely antiqued patina. Additionally, each rivet is hand-ground and polished, with no two rivets exactly alike. The final touch comes from an antique hot-stamping machine, which brands each belt with “A. Jason Ross for Donna Karan” and its provenance, “Made in the USA”.
Thinking about Motherhood
I’ve been thinking a lot about motherhood and what it means to be a mother; it’s is a subject that I’ve shared my heart and soul on many times. I am a mother and grandmother and my maternal instincts have fueled not only my familial relationships, but also my desire to bring mind, body and spirit into my life as a businesswoman and philanthropist.
This spectrum of motherhood spans across so many things and, in my opinion, highlights what’s most important. This week, I was an extra proud mama. I had the extraordinary pleasure of witnessing my daughter, Gabby, being honored at the Solving Kids Cancer’s Annual Gala. I was bursting with pride watching Gabby receive the “Wings of Hope” award for her tireless support of such a necessary and important issue. And, I’m delighted to share that evening was a fantastic success bringing in over $440,000 to fund new treatment options for kids.
As I write this, I am back in Haiti, a place where I tune into my maternal intuition constantly. As women, we are creators and the desire to give birth is woven into the essence of who we are – whether we birth babies, businesses or ideas is entirely up to us – but our ability to create is an amazing offering; an offering that the world needs.
So, in honor of Mother’s Day, I want to encourage each and every one of you to reach into your inner reserves of creativity. Tap into your unique talents and offer the world your own, authentic, brilliant, illuminated creativity.
All my love,
PRE-FALL 2013: PURE SCULPTURE
Connecting the dots—day to night, season to season—
As inspired by my husband Stephan’s book and art exhibit.
Sportswear is elemental: pure in form, weightless and flexible.
Sculpted to the body, tailored to life in the city.
The palette is starkly graphic: Black. Asphalt. Ash. Slate. Henna.
Matte one minute, glistening the next.
The silhouette is sculpted, seamed and suspended—
In bonded neoprene crepe or jersey, flashed with sheer and skin.
It’s the Seven Easy Pieces with a sculptural take,
Lean to round, pared down or layered up—
The silhouette is always changing.
Start with the body foundation, whether in separates or combined into one:
The bodysuit, bodydress, seamed body skirt, skinny pants.
Then proportion as desired with the tailored finish:
The crop molded shell that skims the torso.
The peplum cinched with a stretch belt.
The elongated tailored jacket.
The kimono coat in crushed paper lightness, loose or belted.
Expand the options: The minidress that doubles as a tunic over pants.
The soft sculpture top that stands on its own.
The voluminous skirt in neoprene or taffeta.
The envelope–folded crepe trouser—liquid and pegged.
The city leather biker. The woven leather and chiffon shrug.
These are modern clothes that echo the elements of the city:
Architectural. Evolving forward. Always glamorous.
The art of the body…connected to the art of life.
To be continued…
NAOMIE HARRIS
Actress Naomie Harris wears Donna Karan Atelier to the Costume Institute Gala for the “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” exhibition on May 6, 2013 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
JENNIFER MORRISON
Actress Jennifer Morrison wears Donna Karan Atelier to the Costume Institue Gala for the “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” exhibition on May 6, 2013 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Credit: Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic
HAILEE STEINFELD
Actress Hailee Steinfeld wears Donna Karan Atelier to the Costume Institute Gala for the “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
EMMY ROSSUM
Actress Emmy Rossum wears Donna Karan Atelier to the Costume Institute Gala for the “PUNK: Chaos to Couture” exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6, 2013 in New York City. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.
