Donna Karan staged her latest buy-now-wear-now collection for Urban Zen — a fall showing titled “The Alchemist” — inside her chic store and studio space on Manhattan’s Greenwich Street. The presentation set featured live music, live artists and even a live falcon — all of which underscored the collection’s nomadic, almost tribal feel. “The Alchemist is on a journey,” said Karan, who recently injured her foot and was working the room energetically on a knee scooter. “You can show what you want to show, delete what you want to delete,” she continued, as she demonstrated the wraps and ties on a cold-shoulder jersey dress that gathered near the waist. “You can wear it 10 million different ways.”
Rendered entirely in shades of black, brown and burgundy, Karan’s collection offered luxe outerwear styles that included padded suede jackets, reversible shearling gilets and kimonos and an elegant tufted-silk coat with a bit of sheen. Knits, which were layered with abandon — the models certainly weren’t wanting for warmth — included a textured cashmere wrap that sells online for $6,195, worn with suede jodhpur pants and thick leather toggle belts. Layered, leather-beaded necklaces lent the collection an earthy, regal vibe that’s distinctively Donna.