A model wears a camouflage print jacket and skinny jeans by DKNY Jeans, during the autumn/ winter 2007 collection preview at the Royal Toto Gallery in Gangnam, Wednes-day.

By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter

DKNY Jeans, the brand created by American designer Donna Karan, is bringing New York City's style and attitude to Korea.

On Wednesday, DKNY Jeans gave a preview for its autumn/winter 2007 collection Wednesday at the Royal Toto Gallery in Gangnam. The collection will hit department stores in Korea this August.

While the name may lead some to believe the brand is only about denim, DKNY Jeans has a wide range of sweaters, tops, T-shirts, jackets, skirts, bags and belts.

The DKNY Jeans autumn/winter collection is characterized by modern and sleek designs in dark hues accented with flashes of red, yellow and blue.

It was inspired by the intense energy of New York City itself. ``Bright flashes of color mimic the blur of streetlights. Silhouettes take on lean, minimalist proportions, textures and patterns play up contrasts. While details blend utilitarian toughness with sweet femininity for women,'' it said.

For women, skinny jeans are still ``in'' for next season. Voluminous tops cinched at the waist with belts are paired with slim jeans. One model wore a hip-length camouflage print jacket with a thick belt and khaki-colored skinny pants. Another model wore a particularly pretty royal blue A-line top that could be worn with pants or worn as a dress.

A male model wears a hooded jacket and jeans from the DKNY Jeans autumn/winter 2007 collect-ion. DKNY Jeans will be available in department stores in August.

For men, dark, distressed jeans are matched with hooded jackets and T-shirts featuring DKNY logos and black and white images of iconic New York City skyline.

To keep warm during winter, the label also has a selection of stylish knit jackets, fur-trimmed coats and tough-looking leather jackets for men and women.

All the pieces are classic, yet still adhering to the season's trends without going overboard. The clothes can be easily worn from day to night. Comfort and functionality are not sacrificed for fashion.

DKNY Jeans, which stands for Donna Karan New York, adheres to Karan's fashion philosophy: ``Find your own personal uniform and remember there are no rules.''

Karan debuted with her first women's collection in 1985. She became famous for her Essentials line, offering seven pieces that can be easily mixed and matched. Her clothes, described as simple, elegant yet functional, became popular in the 1980's.

By 1988, she launched DKNY, a line designed for younger women. DKNY Jeans was created in 1990, targeting young, modern individuals that seek casual clothing beyond denim.

Since then, Karan's empire grew to include children's collection, beauty products, perfume and accessories. In 1997, she quit as chief executive officer of the company but officially remains as chairperson.

In February 2007, Donna Karan International and Singapore-based Club 21 Retail Holdings entered into a strategic licensing alliance for DKNY Jeans in Asia and Europe. Club 21 owns the rights to manufacture, market, distribute, sell and operate retail boutiques for DKNY Jeans throughout Asia.

``This alliance is one of the first initiatives under our new strategic plan to continue to build Donna Karan International. This agreement will allow DKI to maximize the opportunities for growth of the DKNY Jeans brand and is a critical step in the global development of our company,'' Mark Weber, CEO of Donna Karan International, said.

cathy@koreatimes.co.kr