Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow have announced that they will be leaving their creative director roles at DKNY at the end of the year. The design duo joined DKNY less that two years ago, in April 2015. Since then, the brand and its parent company, Donna Karan International, were sold by LVMH to G-III Apparel Group in July.
Osborne and Chow were credited with breathing new life into the DKNY brand over their three collections, which brought a more youthful and urban update of the aesthetic Donna Karan pioneered. They will reportedly now focus their attention entirely on their own brand, Public School.
“Given the company sale and subsequent change in strategies, we have decided to step down and focus on our own business, Public School,” the designers say in a statement reported by WWD. “It’s been an unbelievable experience to work side by side with the wonderful people at DKNY, especially our amazing design team and atelier. We wish the company success in the future.”
Donna Karan left her namesake brand in 2015, although she’s remained close to the company, working as an advisor. While there has been no news about her role going forward, there are rumors she could make a return.
Credits
Text Felix Petty
Photography Barbara Anastacio