Ensemble
Donna Karan · fall/winter 1986–87
Donna Karan
- American sportswear
- Coordinated separates
Donna Karan carried an American sportswear tradition into the wardrobe of the professional woman. After establishing her own house in 1985, she developed the Essentials concept: coordinated components built around a bodysuit.
Official house website
Five looks to know
Collection selection
Ensemble
fall/winter 1986–87
A long, softly falling outer layer gives this dark ensemble an elongated outline. The museum records three wool components and suede accessories, making the outfit a useful example of coordinated dressing. Its fall/winter 1986–87 date places it near the beginning of Karan’s own house and its emphasis on adaptable wardrobes.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Jumpsuit
spring/summer 1986
Karan brought the practical language of sportswear into a polished urban wardrobe. This cotton jumpsuit combines a tailored-looking upper body with a continuous, elongated trouser line. The Met situates it alongside her early Essentials concept, whose coordinated components offered working women another way to assemble versatile, confident clothes.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Collection selection
Dress
1985-1986 · V&A collection
Gathered and machine-sewn wool jersey.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Collection selection
Dress
1985-1986 · V&A collection
Machine-sewn wool jersey.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Collection selection
Jacket
1993 · V&A collection
Wool.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, LondonCollections & archive pieces
2 collections represented · 2 piecesfall/winter 1986–87
1 piece
spring/summer 1986
1 piece
Jumpsuit
Donna Karan · spring/summer 1986
About Donna Karan
Her early clothes combined practical versatility with a body-conscious line, offering polished jumpsuits and softly falling layers as alternatives within a modern working wardrobe.