Donna Karan suggests Harvey Weinstein victims may have been ‘asking for trouble’ | The Independent |

Donna Karan has leapt to the defence of Harvey Weinstein and argued his alleged victims might have been “asking for it” by their choice of dress.

The famous Hollywood film producer had been on a leave of absence after The New York Times published a report that detailed acts of alleged harassment towards a number of women, including actors Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan.

But Karan, who is a friend of Weinstein’s, has now insisted the producer is “wonderful”. The fashion designer told
the Daily Mail women need to consider if the way they dress could indicate they are “asking for it”.

“I think we have to look at ourselves,” the creator of DKNY said on the red carpet at the CinéFashion film awards in Los Angeles.

“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.”

She added: “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?” The designer claimed women who dressed provocatively were asking for trouble.

More below the fold …

Donna Karan defends Harvey Weinstein, suggests women are asking for it| JPost |

Karan, who founded the women’s fashion powerhouse DKNY, was one of the first people to publicly defend Weinstein since the allegations were reported.

McGowan responded to Karan’s comments by calling her “scum in a fancy dress.” Other Hollywood actresses, including Mia Farrow and Sarag Wynter, also spoke out against Karan’s remarks.

Karan said Monday night that her words were taken out of context.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

Donna Karan | Vogue |

Weinstein sexual harassment controversy exposes Hollywood’s double standard

In 2015, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission opened an investigation into allegedly discriminatory hiring practices against female directors.

“Hollywood likes to project an image of being progressive about issues of race, gender and social issues — but at the end of the day it is an incredibly regressive industry,” said Caroline Heldman, a college professor who has worked with alleged victims of Bill Cosby and Weinstein. “It is an industry that, in many ways, looks more like the 1950s.”

…
Over the years, Weinstein has given generously to Democrats and liberal causes, contributing more than $600,000 to Democratic politicians and groups, according to federal records. He donated tens of thousands of dollars to the presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

Obama’s oldest daughter, Malia, worked as an intern for Weinstein Co. in New York last summer prior to enrolling at Harvard University. Weinstein also has contributed to the Clinton Foundation, whose website states that the producer provided well over $100,000 as of June.

Known as a “bundler,” Weinstein also used his vast connections to organize and collect checks from a wide swathe of donors. The mogul threw glamorous fundraisers for Clinton that raised millions for her presidential campaign and were attended by A-list celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lopez.

…
The Republican Party sent email blasts to members and the media naming Democrats who have accepted money from Weinstein.

Democrats quickly tried to distance themselves. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he would donate $14,200 — the amount that Weinstein contributed to him — to charities supporting women. Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) confirmed that they will be donating money given to them by Weinstein to various charities. The amounts ranged from $2,700 to $7,800.

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