A LIFE LESS FASHIONABLE - DONNA KARAN
By Stephen Short
A PRESTIGE HONG KONG EXCLUSIVE

In an exclusive interview in the June issue of Prestige Hong Kong, legendary fashion designer Donna Karan explains her personal journey to advance wellness, preserve culture and empower children, her admiration for Madonna, and why the world needs Hillary Clinton.

“What I do know is that we’re in a state of crisis right now and we need help. The way I look at it, this not just about the United States — I think we’re looking at the world,” says Karan, in a candid interview with Deputy Editor Stephen Short in April. “I see the prospects of Hillary being a world leader. You know, you go to somebody who’s got experience enough, and I think Hillary has the experience. She may not have been a vice-president but she has the experience.”

Karan, who sold Donna Karan International (DKI) to French luxury conglomerate LVMH for US$643 million in 2001, also voices her support for Madonna and the singer’s Spirituality For Kids (SKF) foundation.

“She put her money where her mouth is. She went to Malawi, and we need her in Malawi. She’s there. She saw a problem and she wanted to deal with the solution. She has the talent. She has the vision. I respect her completely for this.”

Of her personal journey, Karan confides: “What I’ve always done is: I dress people, now I want to address them. I came into this business knowing what was missing. So now I want to extend that into what’s missing now, because what was missing then is not what’s missing now.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT DONNA KARAN

Also in this issue:

The June issue comprises 392 pages packed with the best that life has to offer. Exclusive social coverage includes Hermès’ Indian-themed reopening cocktail reception for its boutique in The Peninsula; a private dinner honouring Burberry Creative Director Christopher Bailey at The China Club in Beijing; and the Y’s fashion show at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in Beijing’s Forbidden City, directed by renowned Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto.

Yamamoto is also featured in an exclusive interview with Fashion Editor Vivienne Tang. In “The Mystery of Yohji,” Yamamoto discusses his collaboration with the China Friendship Foundation for Peace and Development, his philosophy of fashion, and his view on women.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT YOHJI YAMAMOTO

Other exclusive interviews this month include golfing icon Jack Nicklaus, designer of the World Cup course at Mission Hills, and hotelier Horst Schulte, who discusses his portfolio of super-luxury Capella hotels and resorts.

Not-to-be-missed features include Lifestyle Editor Nick Goodyer’s examination of Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa’s legacy; writer Steve Reels’ look at the history of The Peninsula Hotel as it nears its 80th birthday, and Gerrie Lim’s take on Raffles’ 120th; Stephen Short’s review of a menu created exclusively by Joël Robuchon for HSBC Premier Mastercard and Visa Platinum Card holders; and Features Editor Glen Watson’s critique of Bentley’s luxurious new V8 Brooklands Coupé.

Photography by Gregg Delman/Vistalux/
Imaginechina

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