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Donna Karan's Fall 2013 collection showcases the designer's signature draping and luxe textiles. LEFT: Camel wool coat ($3,495) and black jersey long-sleeve turtleneck ($795). CENTER: Peat jersey cape ($895), leather top ($3,800), and jersey pleat-front trousers ($895). RIGHT: Gray jersey twistfront turtleneck caped evening gown ($3,800). the dots in his work, that's the way I connect them, and [the same goes for] the liquidity in his sculptures." Her latest ad campaign for her apparel depicts a sensual woman in an artist's studio, an idea that Karan says allows her "to sort of live my own fantasies, to create a reflection of where our life was, and to explore how there's a sculpture in a woman's dress that can make her feel both sexy and comfortable." There are her signature practical elements in the collection as well, such as the great wrap and tie skirt and, of course, the bodysuit, a base that allows a woman to layer yet also feels transitional, offering an ability to go from day to evening, from warm temperatures to cold. And today, as always, not far from Karan's own fingertips is a great black cashmere scarf. "A scarf for me does everything," she says. "It covers you up, it keeps you warm, it can create a sense of drama. I wear one every day." The piece also found its way into Urban Zen, in the form of a cashmere sarong and blanket wrap. That collection may be Karan's most comprehensive, as it includes not only fashion, but also furniture, jewelry, and a whole series of artisan works crafted in Haiti, another of her passions. 110 "Haiti was the space and place that embraced everything I was talking about," she says. "I thought, How you do solve problems in the developing world? And one way to do that is through artists and craft. It's become quite a business and even more—instead of just giving people money, why not give them the tools and the empowerment they need to create their own businesses out of it?" She also appreciates the approach to medical care that launched in Haiti with the work of Bostonbased Dr. Paul Farmer and Partners in Health. And with that, Karan is ready to duck into the Harvard Club to talk about women and health care. More than anything, she says, she feels fortunate not only to have a platform to express her passions, but also to have the opportunity to inspire other women to use their voices as well. "Yesterday I was at a conference at the UN, and today I'm walking into the Harvard Club to talk about Urban Zen and health care," she says. "Women today have a huge voice, and that voice needs to be heard—how else can we change the world?" Saks Fifth Avenue, The Shops at Prudential Center, 617-262-8500; donnakaran.com BC "This collection reflects where my head is at, where I want the industry to be, and the idea that what we really need is to feel prepared for anything and make our lives a little easier." —Donna Karan BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 106-111_BC_F_CoverStory_Fall13.indd 110 8/5/13 9:46 AM