DKNY presented its latest menswear collection at the glass-walled Nasdaq MarketSite building, the first men s brand to do so. Donna Karan listed her company on the New York Stock Exchange back in 1996, which made you wonder: Why this venue now? DKNY s collections, which consist of tweaked classics brought ably up to date by the line s creative director, Garry Martin, include plenty of tailored options—this season, a whole passage of city-block-gray two-button suits—but they re far more casual than you re likely to see on Wall Street bankers. (Here, the suits were shown with platform-heel Doc Martens; other looks had Superga sneakers and still others, Tevas.)
But that s a strength, not a weakness. DKNY s mandate is clothes—working weekday and casual weekend—for the young and the urbane. Martin interpreted that dictum to demand versatility, not only office to evening and back, but all-weather and idiot-proof, too. Blazers and suit pants got nanotech finishes for water- and stain-resistance. Every jacket now has an iPhone pocket hidden in its bonded lining.
Outside, overlooking Times Square, coordinated Jumbotrons blasted DKNY s Fall campaign. With that, the venue clicked. Karan s secondary collection may not be for bankers, but it s always been about going big in New York. Remember the famous city-skyline billboard on Houston Street? The MarketSite s glass panes were the perfect way to take in the view.
