Alumni

FIDM Alumna Karen Kane's Brand Karen Kane Inc Featured in Women's Wear Daily

Karen Kane Inc., the fashion label launched by FIDM Alumna Karen Kane and her husband Lonnie in 1979, was recently featured in Women’s Wear Daily discussing how this family-run business plans to keep it in the family. Both of the couple’s sons, Michael and Robert, work at the brand, with Michael recently elevated to Co-President after several years as Director of Marketing, and Robert designing his own brand, R.G. Kane, as part of Karen Kane Inc.

Though Karen and Lonnie don’t have any current plans to retire, the company is already pondering its future. According to the article, the work of preparing to turn the business over to the next generation begins with a plan. “You have to make sure the family members who are going to continue on afterward are well rounded in what the business is and are experienced in a number of areas of the company. They also need to develop relationships in the industry that are separate from the ones their parents have.” 

It’s never too early to start building those relationships. WWD reports that Michael brings his two year old daughter, Birdie, to the office every day. 

Karen Kane is sold at Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, and 400 specialty retail boutiques nationwide. The company occupies a 135,000-square-foot space in the Los Angeles-adjacent industrial area of Vernon, home to many other clothing brands, including Paige, Monique Lhuillier (FIDM Grad), and Tadashi Shoji.

To read the article, head to https://wwd.com/business-news/business-features/karen-kane-lonnie-apparel-company-next-generation-succession-1235399973/.

 

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