Donna Karan leaves eponymous label

Yesterday, it was announced that Donna Karan is stepping down from her role as chief designer at her eponymous label. Founded in 1984 with Karan’s late husband Stephen Weiss and Takiyho Inc., Donna Karan International has transformed the businesswear of the modern American woman with her practical yet stylish designs.

French luxury brand conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, who bought the fashion house in 2001, revealed that there are no immediate plans to replace Karan as chief designer. The main Donna Karan collection will be suspended and will not show at New York Fashion Week this September.

According to WWD, Karan left her brand to focus her time on Urban Zen Foundation, a charitable organisation founded by the designer after her husband passed away in 2001. Reportedly, she still intends to remain as a close adviser to the Donna Karan label.

“LVMH and I have made this decision after much soul-searching,” Karan stated, “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.”

“Donna Karan is a part of me, past, present and future. It has been an honor to speak woman to woman about ‘Seven Easy Pieces’ that forever changed the way women dress,” announced Karan, “I want to express my gratitude and my deepest feelings to the dozens and dozens of colleagues over the years who have helped take Donna Karan New York far beyond my wildest dreams.”