Donna Karan is exactly like the Empire State Building in New York – she’s built a gorgeous career on the back of the city – so it was definitely appropriate that the front page of her show notes for the DKNY Spring/Summer 2012 show at New York Fashion Week, unveiled on the tenth anniversary of 9/11, made mention of the tragic date. “There truly is no place anywhere like our beloved city, New York. Our inspiration,” it read.
However, it wasn’t only the city that inspired the designer for creating this incredibly ethereal, refined and feminine collection, but America as a whole. After all she is much involved in politics. “West coast ease meets east coast edge,” said the show notes of the collection.
Donna Karan has always reflected a high dose of femininity and a touch of freshness in her designs, and for the upcoming spring/summer 2012 fashion year her vision for the DKNY label is all about ladylike ensembles that come like a breath of fresh air. Easy chic seems to be the theme of the collection, a trend that has always managed to draw lots of positive attention. Long and flowy designs bewitched everyone present and gorgeous seasonal colors were a true spectacle for the eyes and mind to enjoy.
Overall, the collection seems to have been divided into four different sections – the basics featuring functional must-have shirts, the bold red/blue poppy printed pieces, the floral prints and bikinis, and airy maxi dresses in white, black and pink. The entire line is playing around with such gorgeous hues, as cream, navy, timeless black or tan and spices things up with royal blue, fierce red and fresh hot pink shades and vivid prints. For some bright idea to mix and match various catchy, bold prints, the designer looked to artists, who represented landscape for other inspirations, more precisely Jackson Pollock.
Girly skirts paired with stylish shirts and tops, gorgeous dresses featuring asymmetrical cuts (shorter in the front and longer in the back), skirt pants, tailored tuxedo jackets, stylish minis, stylish pants and fab oversized jackets teamed up with oversized floppy hats and handbags give a casual-chic flair to the collection, while the vintage classic tweed pieces emphasize the timeless elegance of the line. Karan emphasized a year-round wardrobe that could easily be layered with other pieces from her collection or with things already hanging in your closet. With the DKNY Spring/Summer 2012 collection you are sure to draw all eyes on you, regardless of the occasion and time!
Photo courtesy of WWD
Photographer Robert Mitra
