Donna Karan Issues Statement After Harvey Weinstein Comments Spark Backlash

She's been slammed for suggesting women are 'asking' to be sexually harassed.

Fashion designer Donna Karan has backtracked over comments she made about the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment accusations.

She faced a huge backlash when she pointed the finger at the film mogul’s accusers rather than the man himself, while being interviewed on a red carpet.

She said of the matter: “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. Certainly in the country of Haiti where I work, in Africa, in the developing world, it’s been a hard time for women.”

Donna Karan
Donna Karan
Michael Tullberg via Getty Images

The DKNY founder continued: “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?”

Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein
Paul Bruinooge via Getty Images

Understandably, Donna’s suggestion that women are “asking” to be sexually harassed faced a huge backlash from a number of high-profile stars, including Rose McGowan, who has been vocal ever since the New York Times first detailed the sexual harassment accusations being levelled against Harvey Weinstein last week.

Donna Karan you are a DEPLORABLE Aiding and abetting is a moral crime. You are scum in a fancy dress pic.twitter.com/Vze7lnpdvj

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 10, 2017

No more Donna Karan for me https://t.co/QsflmGq7hz

— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) October 10, 2017

No, Donna Karan... women are not ASKING FOR IT. Aspiring actresses are not hoping one of the most powerful men in Hollywood hits on them https://t.co/V4l54ZMMuL

— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) October 10, 2017

Hey, does this DKNY top say "please jack off into a pot plant in front of me?" Asking for Donna Karan https://t.co/xejRLFFRWG

— Hadley Freeman (@HadleyFreeman) October 10, 2017

In the wake of the backlash, Donna has since issued a statement, claiming her remarks were taken “out of context”.

She said: “While answering a question on the red carpet I made a statement that unfortunately is not representative of how I feel or what I believe.

“I have spent my life championing women. My life has been dedicated to dressing and addressing the needs of women, empowering them and promoting equal rights.

“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.”

Weinstein has “unequivocally denied” any allegations of non-consensual relationships.

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