I truly believe that philanthropy and commerce can work together.
I always need a support team, even at Donna Karan. I like collaborating. There is something in collaboration that is wonderful.
I’m very involved in my business and with my family and my friends. I don’t play the social world very much, and not to promote my product. I do it for the philanthropic problems because there I feel that I’m making a difference, and that I’m helping. So I do it in a soulful way.
You don’t have that much choice in your life, which is one of the big lessons I’ve learned. I was going to be a designer whether I wanted to be a designer or not. So there I was.
For me, the soul is connected to a higher being. It’s not about religion; it’s about connecting to your true self – your truth, the truth inside of you, the one you were born with.
The magic happens in the creative studios. But sometimes you’re inspired when you’re removed from it a little bit. That’s when the juice starts to percolate.
I did Urban Zen for myself, to make clothes for me and my friends, a similar philosophy to when I started Donna Karan. Except this time I hope it will stay that way so that I will be able to support young designers and mentor them.
I like the idea of having many different ways to express myself. There is a part of me as an artist and a creator who would like to express myself in many different ways. But then at the same time I know I have limited hours in the day, and I can only do so much successfully.
I don’t feel burdened, but I do feel a little frustrated. Because I see the problem, and I can see the solution – but there are two strongly different points of view on this – like the Republicans and Democrats.
I’m very involved with Pilates as well; you have to be careful. I can’t do headstands any more, I have a neck and a spinal problem, but I used to do it.
That’s a journey I’ve been on for many years. I mean, being a working mother, realizing that I have to make and find my balance.
I’ve been away and haven’t seen my family. I speak to them every day though. I miss them, but I love traveling.
I love Thieves, it is therapeutic, if you’re not feeling well. It has a very strong scent but is quite wonderful. I also use lavender. Peppermint, when my stomach is upset.
I love working in the markets, I love working with fabric. So I’m not that conditioned to one thing.
It’s hard to keep the energy going sometimes, that’s why I like to go with a group of people who are meditating. I love meditating in groups, it’s fantastic.
I was so overwhelmed by India when I first came – it still inspires me because I still go for the culture, I still go for the colors.
I would love to work with the artisans and take it to another dimension, the same way I did in Haiti.
I celebrate my people a lot and that’s why people stay with me as long as they do.
I’m not as obsessive-compulsive about certain things; I give a lot of latitude to people and support people. I know that I can’t do it myself and that you’re only as good as the people you have behind you.
If you look at the world today, there are as many solutions as there are problems. I think that is a big part of creativity. That’s why I started Urban Zen. Because I wanted to dress and address people.
I think I was always inspired by seeing a problem, and finding a solution.