New York City, for people who have lived there and for those of us who aspire to visit, is a city of individuality and diversity. It pushes risk-takers and empowers personal reinvention. More than just a place, New York is a unique state of mind, which many of us at-heart New Yorkers here in Kuwait share!
This season, DKNY reconnects with the pulse of New York City to present a celebration of diversity. The result is “100% DKNY” the brand’s first-ever digital-led campaign that is an ode to a new generation of hustlers, breakers and multi-hyphenates, rewriting the rules while re-defining the city. Contrasting, contradictory, and often humorous, the text encapsulates the multiplicity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences that comprise and celebrate modern New Yorkers.
Photographed by Oliver Hadlee Pearch and styled by Emilie Kareh, the campaign stars a roster of strong individuals, including Dilone, Soo Joo Park, Alanna Arrington, and for DKNY Men’s, Miles McMillan. Each is captured in dynamic, energetic portraits as they navigate their city — under the Williamsburg bridge, across Soho streets, and high up on sprawling rooftops. Their images are overlaid with copy that breaks down each subject’s “DNA”, all of which add up to “100% DKNY”.
Alanna Arrington for “100% DKNY”. Courtesy of DKNY
Soo Joo is a Seoul-born model-DJ with a passion for good pizza. Alanna is a Midwestern b-baller transplanted to uptown Manhattan. Dilone is Dominican-born and Queens-raised, who puts family first. Miles is a part-time surfer, downtown artist at heart and riding the wave of life. Their stories of individuality highlight the go-anywhere, do-anything spirit of the DKNY Fall 2018 collection.
This translates as a versatile, day-to-night assortment that exudes both downtown attitude and uptown polish. The collection retains DKNY’s iconic hallmarks: straightforward silhouettes, sharp tailoring, activewear-influenced separates, and sporty outerwear, giving you everything you need to live a New York life—wherever that may be.
To bring “100% DKNY” to life the brand has designed several hundred custom T-shirts for celebrities and influencers in fashion, entertainment, music, and contemporary art, packaged in black and white DKNY pizza boxes and delivering during New York Fashion Week.
Miles McMillan for “100% DKNY”. Courtesy of DKNY
Fans can interact with the campaign to tell their own story by capturing a unique, blank template on @DKNY’s Instagram Stories Highlights and then share using #IAMDKNY, telling the world what makes them unique and, ultimately, 100% DKNY.
“New York will always be DKNY’s foundational inspiration. This new campaign celebrates the individuality and diversity of both the city and the brand,” said Jeff Goldfarb, Executive Vice President, G-III Apparel Group. “Our non-traditional approach to this campaign – from the digital-first execution to the guerilla seeding and the collection’s overall versatile design – are key elements of our ongoing strategy to evoke the brand’s iconic and modern message.”
Dilone for “100% DKNY”. Courtesy of DKNY
The full media campaign will launch on September 6, using a digital-first strategy to captivate the millennial-minded consumer across multiple touchpoints. Limited edition T-shirts will be sold exclusively on DKNY.com, allowing the consumer to buy the “100% DKNY” persona that best reflects their personality.
For more on the collection and campaign visit donnakaran.com and follow on Instagram @DKNY.
