Brands to Know: Anne Klein & Donna Karan
Two iconic New York designers with a shared history
Hi and happy Friday!
I’ve obviously gone haywire as to my post schedule, but I’m dedicated to getting one paid post out each week, regardless of the timing!
The first of the “Brands to Know” series was Paris-focused and this month’s is decidedly New York. This week I’m sharing two of my complete and absolute favorite designers: Anne Klein & Donna Karan. There is rarely a vintage piece I’ve found from either of them that doesn’t blend seamlessly into a contemporary wardrobe. Far ahead of their time as far as dressing modern, working women - even pieces dated to the early 70s could easily be on the racks today.
One reason these two designers’ brands are so linked in my mind is because they were linked in fashion history, too. Donna Karan’s first job out of college was as Anne Klein’s assistant! She cut her teeth with one of the greatest icons of American fashion and you can easily see the ripples of this mentorship. You’ll note in the below collages the crossover between the two brands’ style: sleek and mixable, both lines were created for city women making their own way. Thank goodness for them both.
Below are 25 Anne Klein pieces and 26 Donna Karan pieces to shop, with a little more info about their respective paths. If you have any brands/designers you’d like me to spotlight, just drop a comment below.
Happy shopping!
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Anne Klein
Years active - 1937-1974
Best known for - She is credited with originating the concept of separates and a fully-coordinated closet, and providing a uniquely American point of view to the global fashion industry. (CFDA) She’s also noted for her brushed gold jewelry and Leo-inspired logo.
Fashion history - Anne started her path in fashion young - in high school she went to fashion school and sketched for Maurice Rentner on 7th Avenue. In 1944, Anne Klein joined Bonnie Cashin and Claire McCardell to form a female design trio who laid the foundations of American sportswear. In 1948 she created the Junior Sophisticates line, pioneering petite fashion. It was here that she focused on women entering the workforce and creating the category of separates (!!) - for working women to maximize their working closet. In 1968 she created her eponymous line, Anne Klein Studio and went on to further revolutionize how women dressed. With sleek, menswear-inspired separates, Anne Klein was far beyond her time. She was creating in the 60s what is still modern and relevant to fashion today.
Though she passed away in 1974, her line is still in production. But the real treasures are her vintage pieces which can often be found affordably, but some of her really special pieces fetch prices in the hundreds.
