Fashion Fund mentor and iconic American designer Donna Karan and her designer finalist mentee, Abrima Erwiah of Studio One Eighty Nine are, in many ways, kindred in fashion spirit – both having ample appreciation for the power of artisanal communities. In preparation for their first meeting, Karan and Erwiah prepared a set of important questions for each other. We asked them to share these questions with us. Take a look!

In preparation for their first meeting, Fashion Fund mentor and iconic American designer Donna Karan and her designer finalist mentee, Abrima Erwiah of Studio One Eighty Nine, each prepared a set of important questions for each other. We asked them to share these questions with us. Take a look!

Donna Karan to Abrima Erwiah

Why did you choose fashion designing as a career?

What do you love about being a fashion designer?

Who and which things are the inspiration while creating any design? 

What is fashion for you?

What do you believe are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful fashion designer?

What are the work ethics that you believe in while working with fashion? 

Tell us something about your background?

For you, what are the most important facets of the fashion industry?

How would you define your personal style?

What was your biggest fear when going out and starting your own line?

How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes?

Abrima Erwiah to Donna Karan

I really loved hearing you speak about the lifestyle aspect of your work. I find you very inspiring in so many ways. You spoke to me a lot about movement and how the clothes move or should move. Why do you think movement is so important in clothing? 

What lessons do you think we can learn from the past that can be applied to the future? And what lessons that you know now that you wish you would have known before? 

Haiti has been hit pretty hard recently – the earthquake last august and the recent news about the border patrol chasing and whipping asylum seekers at the Texas border after their treacherous trip to the USA and also sending many asylum seekers back to Haiti.. . Between climate change and migration as a result of climate change, social issues and political upheaval… as fashion designers, what role do you think we all and the industry can play in working towards meaningful social change? What impact can we have? 

What do you recommend is the best support a brand can give to artisans in your experience? 

What do you think the customer is looking for in your experience? 

What is your favorite book? and why? 

What is your favorite place to visit in the world? and why? 

What’s the best advice you think I can take with me on my journey? Something that I should never forget or always keep in my mind/heart?