Donna Karan talks about her personal style, Designer reveals her must-have travel essentials

Designer Donna Karan recently stepped down from the empire she founded to focus on her personal style, Urban Zen. Moreover, the veteran designer admitted that  she has found inspiration in the people, art, and culture she's come across while traveling.

Karan claimed that her personal style signifiers are a black cashmere scarf and a bold artisan necklace made of wood or stone. According to How To Spend It, she stated, "The scarf is a way of life for me; it's a security blanket, a luxurious piece to throw on my shoulder or wrap around myself if I get cold. The necklace - often something I pick up in Haiti from craftswoman Pascale Théard - adds that element of soul and individuality. "

"The last item of clothing I added to my wardrobe was a slouchy chocolate-brown suede coat from Urban Zen", she added. She also said that she loves the softness of suede. And she even ordered a striking gold metallic and black velvet embroidered evening coat from her autumn 2015 collection on her official web page named Donna Karan. She considers it a forever collection.

Moreover the designer allegedly got inspired by a lot of people, art, and culture she's come across while travelling around the world. It's inspired her new collections, as well. It also provided the drive to debut the Urban Zen Foundation, and to sustain the local artisans in Haiti. 

Karan's travel is seemingly weaved throughout her new memoir, a book called My Journey. The New York designer recently revealed some of her travel tips, her love of Bali, and the item she never leaves home without. She said, "I've always been inspired by the environment, by the colors, by the people, by what they wear. That's why I like to travel to cultures that really have not been tainted. To me, it's always been about my senses, and what I sense." The designer also mentioned that what really pushed her to get motivated was her trip to Bali.

She went on by telling that when she travelled to Burma, Vietnam, and Cambodia, she has come back with design ideas. She did not even come back with ideas, but they also influenced her campaigns. She also shared that during her shoot for ad campaigns, she would really travel throughout the world.

The designer also claimed that she probably cannot travel without a scarf. So every time she travels, she would always bring with her scarves. She also brings with her a sketch pad, her iPad and magazines. She claimed, "(Flying) is always a time that I can look at all my magazine I never get to see."

Meanwhile, aside from the fact that she has become a fashion icon for a lot of people, she has also inspired many travelers all over the world. And when it comes to advising novice travelers, Karan believes that everyone should travel before college to get a sense of the world.