A Sophisticated Lady: Donna Karan

8/10/2011

onna Karan has long been the arbiter of style for sophisticated and chic Renaissance women: mothers, daughters, friends, businesswomen, women-about-town and ladies-who-lunch. In Donna Karan's Fall 2011 Campaign, photographed by Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, model Isabeli Fontana convincingly embodies all of these, as well as sexual goddess. While Isabeli's personae seems to be that of a modern and elegant businesswoman, the campaign is strongly reminicent of Donna Karan's 1992 campaign with Rosemary McGrotha showing the ad's heroine as the first female president. It's been nearly twenty years and the former easily stands up to the latter ad of today. Proof that Ms. Karan's clothing and lifestyle branding is absolutely timeless.

Looking at the image above, I remember having read somewhere that Ms. Karan believes that no matter how much a woman's weight fluctuates, her shoulders remain the same. Whether this is true or not, I do know that the hint of a woman's shoulders and neck can be as sexy as a hint of cleavage.

I've had the distinct pleasure of having met Ms. Karan more than once over the years; the first time at a private meeting in 1993 at Nordstrom's (South Coast Plaza - CA.) when she and her husband, Stephen, were launching their women's fragrance line. There have been but a few people of note that I've wanted to meet and she's been one such person. She seems to be someone who truly lives life passionately and more importantly, authentically. Every Sophisticated Gentleman needs a Sophisticated Woman; once you've found her, allow Donna Karan to dress her.