Fur protesters crash Donna Karan’s 20th anniversary party
Anti-fur protesters crashed designer Donna Karan’s 20th anniversary show at New York Fashion Week on Sunday.
Two protesters were arrested after they ran onto the catwalk at the end of the show carrying signs that read “Donna: Dump Fur.” The pair were quickly grabbed by security and rushed off the runway.
Outside protesters dressed as bloodied rabbits held a noise demonstration, waving placards that read “Rabbits are friends,”
“No blood for vanity” and “Real designers don’t hurt animals.”
Karan was unphased when she appeared on the catwalk dancing with a large group of children and waving to the crowd as “Happy Birthday To You” played. Her collection of men’s and women’s wear for spring/summer 2009 began with a film montage of New York City. “Thank you New York for 20 years of inspiration. Love, Donna,” she wrote in notes for the show.
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Among the celebrities gracing the DKNY front row were socialite Nicole Richie and actress Christina Ricci. At designer Tracy Reese’s show actress Emma Roberts and Vogue editor-at-large Andre Leon Talley made an appearance.
Outside the NY Fashion Week tents in Midtown Manhattan another small protest also took place, lobbying for “Curves for the Catwalk.” Dressed in hot pink t-shirts, some plus-size women held signs that read “Hire Me.”
Inside “Desperate Housewives” actress Eva Longoria made an appearance at the M&M stand, creating a media crush, while backstage celebrities and VIP’s were able to sip champagne at the plush Mercedes Benz Star Lounge and the W Hotels Lounge.
Other designers due to show on Sunday were Diane von Furstenberg, Miss Sixty, Tibi and Thuy. On Sunday night Calvin Klein, Inc. is due to celebrate 40 years in the business with an event at the High Line, an elevated rail structure along Manhattan’s West side that will soon become a public park.
