“Donna moved to NYC right after High School in 2001 to study design at F.I.T. and dropped out after her associates to start her first clothing company Caroline Hedaya (sold at Shopbop, Intermix, Saks Fifth Avenue etc.) She is now the owner of the boutique Darling in the heart of the West Village. Donna believes that fashion and illustration should be fun and always have a sense of humor, twisted or not. She also loves to gamble and play the xylophone. ”
Jumpsuit: ASOS, Belt: Betsey Johnson.
ON HER MORNING ROUTINE
When I wake up, I check e-mails right away, shower, put lotion on my face and blow dry my hair for all of a minute, leaving it a bit damp. I choose an outfit real quick then eat at a yogurt.I give myself an extra 15 minutes on my walk to meet my business partner. We meet every morning either at her apartment, where she makes us smoothies and we discuss what our intense day is about to be, or at Dunkin Donuts, where I get a coffee every single morning.
on her personal style
My closet is a mixture of funny cheap clothing & high end clothing. I have curves, and those cheap stores actually fit my body better. I think fashion is all about great style BUT most importantly great fit. I am also obsessed with gold and glitter, which I usually use in my accessories. I also always look for bottoms with a high waist, be it pants or skirts, and anything that is fitted. I find very loose items don’t flatter my shape. If things don’t have a defined waist I make on by adding a belt.
on where she shops
I mainly shop at my store Darling where I buy all the brands. I also shop vintage, a lot at Beacons Closet, Fox and Fawn, Atlantis Attic and Mahps Vintage. I get a lot of my everyday wearable pieces at ASOS.
on her beauty routine
My beauty routine is quite limited and I don’t wear makeup except for red lipstick once in a while by Kenley Collins. For moisturizer I use Aveeno ultra-calming daily moisturizer and Tom's Long Lasting natural deodorant.
“I grew up watching horror movies with my dad since I was 3 (first movie I ever saw was Psycho 4.) So when Scary Stories came out, I was immediately drawn to them. But I also love illustration and I love the illustrator of those books (Stephen Gammell) He’s always been a huge influence on me.
”
on her favorite band
Ida is my favorite band of all time, and, and this is my favorite record of theirs. From the first moment I heard them I thought they made the most beautiful music anyone could possibly make. Their songs affect me like no other bands songs do. They transport me.
This album was really hard to find on record (without having to buy it online) but when I went to Co-Op 87 records and asked if they had it, at first the salesperson thought no but then remembered having seen it come in and put in storage, so I got to buy their one and only copy.
on her furniture
A lot of my furniture were vintage pieces that used to be in Darling. It’s weird though, I know all about designing clothes but designing interiors has always baffled me. So I don’t have my apartment exactly the way I’d want it. I always imagine one day I’ll have a place that’s covered in gold ornate vintage furniture, with red velvet seating and turquoise walls.
on real leather vs. vegan leather
I’m not against real leather, but I’ve grown this obsession with vegan leather, I even have an entire section in my closet dedicated to it.
Skirt: Raquelle
“I’ve always understood how much fashion can affect people and their confidence. I’ve always wanted to be a part of helping in that.
”
Donna's favorite books
Post Office by Charles Bukowski, Scary Stories: More Tales To Chill Your Bones by Alvin Schwartz, More Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark by Alvin Schwartz
donna's favorite records
Times Square Soundtrack by Various Artists, Joe Cocker! by Joe Cocker, Fleetwood Mac by Fleetwood Mac, Will You Find Me by Ida
donna's favorite places IN new york city
Favorite brunch: Sunset Diner (I grew up on diners on Long Island so I LOVE this place) The food is not amazing but they have everything you could ever want so you can order tons of different thangs!
I also love the brunch at The Bedford (food here is amazing) Kale Salad with an egg on it (omg)
For lunch: Sweetgreen
One of my favorite places to eat at in Greenpoint is Sakura, they have free sake, their waitresses and decorations are hysterical and if you order the Sushi Boat it literally comes out to you on a boat
For Bars: Skinny Dennis, rowdy music and crowd, dancing and amazing drinks or The Palace, completely old school Greenpoint, tons of locals and the bartender lets me play dice there
For shopping: Mahps Vintage
Top: ASOS, Skirt: Mystiqueboutique, Shoes: Worishofer, Bag: Vintage, Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Wayfarer.