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'A Huge, Huge Mistake': Donna Karan Feels Bad For Saying Harvey Weinstein's Victims Were 'Asking For It'
By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 30, 2017
Modified Oct 30, 2017
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By
Jen Chung
Published Oct 30, 2017
Modified Oct 30, 2017
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(Good Morning America) -->
Donna Karan is trying to make amends after her comments suggesting that victims of Harvey Weinstein were "asking" for the harassment and assault they faced. In an interview with Good Morning America, the fashion designer said she "made a huge, huge mistake."
"I want to say how sorry I am," she said. "What I said is so wrong and not who I am."
On October 8th, Karan defended Weinstein to a reporter, saying: "I think we have to look at ourselves. Obviously, the treatment of women all over the world is something that has always had to be identified. To see it here in our own country is very difficult, but I also think how do we display ourselves? How do we present ourselves as women? What are we asking? Are we asking for it by presenting all the sensuality and all the sexuality? And what are we throwing out to our children today about how to dance and how to perform and what to wear? How much should they show?"
The NY Times had published its bombshell story about Weinstein's pattern of sexual harassment and settling with women just a few days earlier, on October 5th.
Karan claimed to Good Morning America's Robin Roberts that she was "exhausted" while being interviewed, "I had just ... come from a 14-hour plane trip. I walked into a situation that I wasn't prepared for in any circumstances whatsoever," and added, "I had been away for a month and a half," she said. "I heard a whisper, but there were whispers all over. It wasn't till a day and a half after that I truly heard about it. That's my honest truth. I didn't know."
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After her October 8th remarks were publicized, Karan issued a statement saying it was "not representative of how I feel or what I believe. My statements were taken out of context and do not represent how I feel about the current situation concerning Harvey Weinstein. I believe that sexual harassment is NOT acceptable and this is an issue that MUST be addressed once and for all regardless of the individual. I am truly sorry to anyone that I offended and everyone that has ever been a victim."
In the GMA interview that aired today, Karan, who is no longer involved with DKNY, emphasized, "As a woman, for women, I want to bring out who that woman is. I mean, that's my passion. I still do this for over 40 years, as we know. I want women to feel like women, and have that right."
Since the Times article, dozens of women have recounted how they were harassed by Weinstein and a few have accused him of rape. Weinstein has denied any allegations of sexual assault, claiming relationships were consensual. He has, though, admitted he behaved badly: "I came of age in the '60s and '70s when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different. That was the culture then. I have since learned it's not an excuse, in the office—or out of it. To anyone. I cannot be more remorseful about the people I hurt and I plan to do right by all of them. I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it. Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go."
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donna karan
harvey weinstein
sexual assault
sexual harassment
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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