After Defending Weinstein, Donna Karan Defends Herself

Fashion designer says comment was 'taken out of context'
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 10, 2017 8:50 AM CDT

Donna Karan is fending off critics of her own a day after defending Harvey Weinstein. The fashion designer apologized Monday after she appeared to blame women for allegations of sexual harassment surrounding Weinstein, saying the comment was "taken out of context," per Variety. During an interview Sunday, Karan had suggested critics of Weinstein look at "how women are dressing and what they're asking by just presenting themselves the way they do," per the New York Times. "What are they asking for? Trouble," she added. Weinstein accuser Rose McGowan afterward called Karan "deplorable" and "scum in a fancy dress," while fellow actresses Betsy Wolfe and Mia Farrow said they'd no longer buy products associated with Karan.

TV host Anthony Bourdain also weighed in with a tweet, asking, "How many seventeen year olds have you dressed like they are, in your words, 'asking for it?'" Responding Monday, Karan clarified that "my life has been dedicated to dressing and addressing the needs of women, empowering them and promoting equal rights" and "I believe that sexual harassment is NOT acceptable and this is an issue that MUST be addressed once and for all regardless of the individual." She added, "I am truly sorry to anyone that I offended." Sarah Wynter might not be swayed. Prior to Karan's apology, the actress said the designer had "ruined her career and any chance of being respected as a champion of women's causes ever again," per the BBC. (More Harvey Weinstein stories.)

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