Its really easy to get colors right. Its really hard to get black - and neutrals - right. Black is certainly a color but its also an illusion.

I did Urban Zen for myself, to make clothes for me and my friends, a similar philosophy to when I started Donna Karan. Except this time I hope it will stay that way so that I will be able to support young designers and mentor them.

I truly believe that philanthropy and commerce can work together.

I believe Hillary [Clinton] should be the president. I believe having her and her husband in the White House is what the country needs .

I'm very involved in my business and with my family and my friends. I don't play the social world very much, and not to promote my product. I do it for the philanthropic problems because there I feel that I'm making a difference, and that I'm helping. So I do it in a soulful way.

Personally, I don't use fragrance, and only use essential oils. Stephan [Weiss] said, "Donna, we have to do fragrance - fragrance will last forever - fashion goes up and down. And I said, "I love Casablanca lilies, I love the smell of your neck and I love suede. If you can combine these three together, we can discuss it."

Design and style should work toward making you look good and feel good without a lot of effort so you can get on with the things that matter.