Legwear & Hosiery Design
Our team at ULAC developed multiple sock and hosiery lines for the brand—translating DKNY’s modern, New York–driven identity into thoughtful, high-quality legwear. From everyday essentials to performance and dress styles, our team blended DKNY’s signature aesthetic with expertise in legwear product development, innovation, and execution.
All products and images included on this page are the property of Donna Karan New York and United Legwear & Apparel Co.
BRAND
Brand Identity
Since its inception in 1989, DKNY has been synonymous with New York—inspired by the energy and attitude of the city. Founded on a pair of jeans and the speed of sport, DKNY is utility and purpose—it's practical and contemporary. Today, we reimagine and reinvent once again—our love for New York City, serving as both muse and mentor.
From stitch to silhouette, we invite the world to explore new collections where culture, confidence, and the heartbeat of New York converge and become part of a brand that is not just worn—but lived. DKNY is a love letter to the authentic street style and boundless energy that define the very DNA of New York—a narrative that unfolds in a new era of accessibility. -dkny.com
Target Customer
DKNY’s target customer is modern, urban-minded, and value style that feels effortless but still polished. They look for versatile pieces they can wear from work to the weekend, and they appreciate fashion that’s cool, practical, and rooted in that unmistakable New York attitude.
TEAM
Director of Design & Merchandising / Designer / Asst. Designer / Photo Team / Package Team
Roles & Responsibilities
Working in collaboration with my team, we developed expansive, targeted collections that would serve every need of the DKNY girl. I performed trend research, illustrated CADs, wrote techpacks, and managed sampling.
RESEARCH & PROCESS
Research and Development
Each season, the team would conduct online market research, trend research, and in-person shopping research in the athletic, dress sock, and hosiery space in preparation to design for all DKNY Fashion Legwear Categories.
Design Process
The team begins with several full days of sketching, developing a large breadth of styles. We then choose targeted styles to create reinvented staples that match the lifestyle of the DKNY girl. Once designs are approved and perfected, we begin the process of techpacking and sampling across several factories, depending on the specialized techniques of each category.
Sample Process
Once the final line is approved, the team begins placing orders with factories to receive samples. This includes writing techpacks with a comprehensive construction outline, bill of materials, and all specs and graphics included, as well as uploading all products to the PLM system. Samples are approved or rejected upon receipt, and ultimately, the catalog is published and the showroom is set with all relevant designs.
"Donna Karan's original principle [was] designing for the woman who never knew where the day would take her." -dkny.com
Product Overview
DRESS SOCKS
ATHLETIC SOCKS
HOSIERY
Contemporary. Practical. Energetic.
Our DKNY legwear collections bring the brand’s modern New York sensibility to three distinct lines—DKNY, DKNY Sport, and Donna Karan—each crafted with a unique point of view and purpose.
DKNY: assortment focuses on versatile everyday styles designed with elevated comfort and signature softness. Our key programs center around two hero hand-feels: Cloud Soft, offering a plush, cozy texture ideal for all-day wear, and Silk Touch, a smooth, refined finish that feels effortlessly sleek. These styles balance clean design with subtle branding, creating legwear that pairs easily with the contemporary DKNY wardrobe.
DKNY Sport: I led the comprehensive research and development process to create an athletic-driven extension that still feels unmistakably DKNY. This line emphasizes performance-minded features like arch support, mesh ventilation, and cushioned footbeds, paired with brand-right color palettes, engineered footbed patterns, and quiet, refined branding, including embroidered logos and subtle lurex accents. The result is a sport collection that merges function, fashion, and the brand’s modern urban identity.
Donna Karan: The Donna Karan legwear assortment embodies a more luxurious, dress-forward expression of the brand. These styles feature an elevated, sophisticated color palette, premium yarns, and thoughtful textures—from cable knitting to full-body ribbing—that create a rich, high-end feel. This collection brings timeless elegance and refined craftsmanship to everyday dressing, capturing the essence of the Donna Karan legacy.
DKNY
Showroom
SIGNATURE
STYLES
Athletic Socks
Best-Selling Scrunch Crew
Customers can't get enough of Lemon's best-seller, roll top sock! With solids and patterns like florals, polka dot, heather, and fair isle, this style crosses seasons and is comfortable and breathable at any time of year. This style is Lemon's signature powder quality and utilizes recycled fibers, supporting the brand's desire to promote sustainability.
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Silicone Gripper
Our sneaker liner socks feature a discreet silicone grip at the heel to help prevent slipping and bunching throughout the day. Designed for a secure, stay-put fit, they offer all-day comfort and confidence—no constant adjusting needed.
Ribbed Arch Support
Engineered with 3x1 ribbing through the arch, these socks provide targeted support and a secure, locked-in fit. The structured rib construction enhances stability and comfort, delivering technical performance that holds up through all-day wear and movement.
Ankle Tab
Designed with a functional ankle tab, these low-cut socks offer added protection at the heel and help prevent rubbing and slipping. The tab provides extra comfort and a secure fit, making them ideal for all-day wear and active movement.
Marled Yarns
Marled yarns add subtle texture and visual depth to these socks, creating a layered, dimensional look. The blended tones elevate the design while keeping the style versatile, bringing a refined detail to an everyday essential.
Double Cuff
Double cuffs add a trendy, elevated finish to these crew socks, enhancing both style and durability. The layered cuff detail creates a polished look while helping the sock stay comfortably in place throughout the day.
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