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American fashion designer and creator of Donna Karan New York and DKNY, visited Casa de Campo recently.
Prior to her visit to Casa de Campo, Donna Karan had just spent time in Haiti with Haitian Minister of the Interior, Thierry Mayard-Paul. Together with Thierry Mayard-Paul, Donna Karan visited Jeremiah and Jacmel on a tour to showcase the Haiti’s potential for growth within the tourism and design industries.
Donna Karen already has strong ties with Haiti through her non-profit organization Urban Zen, with a project called “Haiti Artisan”, whose mission is “to help develop, market and present the work of Haiti artisans to the western world.” This project has so far created magnificent jewellery, purses, homeware items and so much more, using traditional artisanal techniques and local materials. The project falls into 9 categories; Tobacco Leaves, Metal Works, Stone, Chandeliers, Beading, Horn, Wood, Paper Mache, Sculpter and Painting, click here to discover more about “Haiti Artisan” by Donna Karan.
Also taking part in this tour of Haiti was Stephen Kaplan, dean of studies at the Altos de Chavón School of Art and Design, who upon arrival to Casa de Campo brought Donna Karan to Altos de Chavón to visit the Altos de Chavón School of Art and Design.
Making the most of her time in Altos de Chavón, Donna Karan also took a visit of the Altos de Chavón village, stopping at the Jenny Polanco Project, which also promotes artisanal crafts, artifacts and gifts hand made by skilled Dominicans and Haitians. In store Donna Karen purchased a necklace, some shirts, and bracelets.
During her stay in Casa de Campo, which she declared as “extraordinary”, Casa de Campo Living was lucky enough to enjoy dinner with the designer. Joined by Claudio and Roswitha Silvestri, Philip Silvestri and I (Rebecca Hughes) enjoyed a delicious pizza and Argentine BBQ at the Casa de Campo villa of Rolando and Monica Gonzalez-Bunster, who once again played the role of elegant and generous hosts beautifully.
We will be bringing you more about Donna Karan’s visit to the Altos de Chavón School of Art and Design soon.