Fashion designer and DKNY co-founder Donna Karan has apologized for comments she made over the weekend suggesting that some of Harvey Weinstein's alleged assault victims were "asking for it."
During a red carpet interview in Los Angeles Sunday night, Karan—who stepped down from her position as chief designer of Donna Karan International in 2015—called Weinstein and wife Georgina Chapman "wonderful" people while somehow blaming the alleged assaults on women's choice of attire. "Are we asking for it by presenting all sensuality and sexuality?" Karan said.
Logically, Karan's comments were met with immediate backlash.
In a statement to Variety Monday, Karan claimed her original comments were "taken out of context" and do not represent her feelings on the Weinstein allegations. "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," Karan said. "I am truly sorry to anyone that I offended and everyone that has ever been a victim."
Tuesday, the New Yorkerreleased disturbing audio of Weinstein admitting to groping model Ambra Battilana Gutierrez:
Asia Argento, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Rosanna Arquette, and others have now publicly accused Weinstein of sexual harassment. Argento, speaking with the New Yorker, alleged that Weinstein forcibly performed oral sex on her. Argento did not speak publicly about the assault until now, fearing Weinstein would ruin her career. "I know he has crushed a lot of people before," Argento said. "That's why this story—in my case, it's twenty years old; some of them are older—has never come out."
In his initial statement last week in response to the New York Times investigation, Weinstein blamed some of his actions on coming of age "in the '60s and '70s, when all the rules about behavior and workplaces were different." Weinstein added that he's "trying to do better" but has a "long way to go." He also used the statement to promote an upcoming project.
Weinstein has since been fired from the Weinstein Company.
