Nov 10, 2019
This is an incredibly special episode for me. You may not know Patti Cohen by name, but if you work in Fashion, she is an industry veteran and icon. She is also my mentor. As employee #1 at Donna Karan International, she was the former Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications for more than 30 years and is hugely responsible for creating these powerhouse brands.
When I asked Patti to sit down with me for this episode, she was hesitant. "What will I say?" she asked. Well, as you will hear, her wisdom is endless. The stories she tells are remarkable. It was a time in Fashion where there was no rule book or path to follow. She helped start it all.
I am also so excited to share Patti's story with the world because she is the epitome of what a leader should be. Much more than a boss, Patti was the matriarch of the company and everyone's biggest cheerleader. An extraordinary marketer who learned it all by herself, she had a vision for the brands beyond what anyone had ever seen in Fashion.
Everything I know, I have learned from her. Without her support, mentorship, and friendship, I would not be where I am today.
Thank you for everything Patti.