Jumpsuit
When Donna Karan established her own design house in 1985, she continued an emphasis on sportswear dressing that had characterized the traditions of Anne Klein, where she had established her career. Her first innovation, the "Essentials" line, was a set of seven wardrobe components based on a bodysuit that could be layered and coordinated in various ways. At a time when women in the professional workforce were seeking an alternative to clothing based on tailored menswear, Karan's luxurious yet pragmatic solution struck a chord. Her designs in black and charcoal gray suggested the sophisticated urbanity of the professional woman, while the body-conscious base components conveyed an alluring femininity. The jumpsuit, originally designed as functional, protective apparel, is at once a statement of a no-nonsense prioritization of efficiency as well as an acknowledgment, in its sleek, attenuating line, of the universal interest in projecting a dynamic and flattering figure.
"It has the sophistication of a dress and the simplicity of pants all wrapped into one. To me, it's a look that delivers strength, comfort, and confidence."
-Donna Karan
"It has the sophistication of a dress and the simplicity of pants all wrapped into one. To me, it's a look that delivers strength, comfort, and confidence."
-Donna Karan
Artwork Details
- Title: Jumpsuit
- Design House: Donna Karan New York (American, founded 1985)
- Designer: Donna Karan (American, born 1948)
- Department Store: Bergdorf Goodman (American, founded 1899)
- Date: spring/summer 1986
- Culture: American
- Medium: cotton
- Credit Line: Gift of Peter R. Feuchtwanger, 2000
- Object Number: 2000.369.3
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.