There was a time when we would pick up Women’s Wear Daily and couldn’t wait to see what it read. And now, you get it five minutes later on your iPad or your phone! The same has to apply to fashion.
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.