My Journey

By: Donna Karan

Narrated by: Kathleen Boyes, Donna Karan

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY HARPER’S BAZAAR

In this candid memoir, featuring a foreword by Barbra Streisand, renowned designer Donna Karan shares intimate details about her lonely childhood, her four-plus decades in the fashion industry, her two marriages, motherhood, and her ongoing quest for self-acceptance and spiritual peace. Donna Karan was born into the fashion business—her father was a tailor, and her mother was a showroom model and Seventh Avenue saleswoman—yet Karan dreamed of becoming a dancer like Martha Graham or a singer like Barbra Streisand. Fashion was her destiny, though. My Journey traces Karan’s early days as an intern at Anne Klein, the creation of her Seven Easy Pieces (which forever changed the way working women dressed), and the meteoric rise of her company. Along with juicy industry stories, Karan candidly discusses her difficult mother and traumatic childhood, her turbulent romantic life, all the loved ones she has lost over the years, and the personal awakening that occurred just as she reached the height of professional and financial success. That awakening set Karan down a path of spiritual discovery and self-improvement.

From est to Kabbalah, from silent retreats to leech therapy, Karan tried everything to find, as she writes, “calm in the chaos.” But she also reveals how a chaotic life, fueled by endless curiosity and childlike impulses, helped her design seminal collections season after season for global powerhouse brands Donna Karan New York and DKNY. She also details how she has channeled her creativity (and her urge to solve problems and nurture others) into philanthropic work, particularly her early outspoken advocacy for AIDS awareness and research, and the creation of her Urban Zen Foundation, focusing on integrated healthcare and education as well as preservation of culture, which led to her current efforts in Haiti. Karan’s life has been crowded with glamorous characters and adventures around the world. But she sometimes still feels like that awkward teen from Long Island who never fit in—which makes her all the more endearing. Brimming with Karan’s infectious energy, My Journey is about much more than the fashion world: It is the story of a young woman whose vision and hard work made her a role model for women everywhere—a woman who dreamed big, fought to have it all, broke the rules, and loved passionately along the way.

©2015 Donna Karan (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“By turns moving, insightful, and hilarious, yet always, always heartfelt . . . When you’re a true force of fashion, nothing holds you back.”—Vogue

“When Donna Karan stepped down as head designer from her eponymous label this July, it was the end of an era, so consider this autobiography her parting gift. Although it covers her robust career and company’s growth, Karan also gets deeply personal. . . . Expect a holistic view of the woman behind one of the most influential American labels.”—StyleCaster

“Donna’s creativity and passion as a committed philanthropist are matched only by her gift for friendship. Whether she’s making the world more beautiful or giving a Haitian artisan the tools to create a sustainable business, Donna has always led with great heart and wonderful humor. I am so grateful that our shared commitment to Haiti and its people brought us closer together, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”—President Bill Clinton

Inspiration!

Thank you Dona Karan for this look into your life. What an inspirational story. I will listen to this over and over. So many important lessons, from design,family,love, loss, business a persons life!
Thank you for being so honest.

LOVED EVERY MINUTE

I loved every minute of this book. it felt honest from beginning to end and extremely relatable. Thanks for sharing your story it was amazingly soulful.

to be continued....

I laughed, I cried. Made me think...a lot. So much more to Donna, the person and the name then I ever thought. I enjoyed her story of life and death and more to come. Thank you Donna.

Terrible narrator

A very interesting life story but I wish Donna Karen had read this book herself. She does read the last chapter and her voice is wonderful.

I loved this audiobook!

I am also a Jewish lady who grew up on L.I., worked as a buyer from 1970-1976 at kirby Block,Mutual and McGreevey buying offices! This book brought me back to my past, I loved it!