Karen Davidson Fashion

Karen Davidson Fashion

Karen Davidson has a strong natural instinct about the mystique of Harley-Davidson from a lifetime of living the Harley-Davidson experience. Davidson, the great-granddaughter of the company's co-founder, William A. Davidson, began riding at the age of nine. As creative director for Harley-Davidson's General Merchandise Department, she's constantly challenged with maintaining Harley-Davidson's distinctive reputation and rich history as she directs design initiatives for Harley-Davidson's apparel and accessory products.

Karen's transition from Fine Arts to Fashion Design in college led into the garment industry. She worked her way up in the garment industry at a fabric, apparel and accessory company in New York to become director of marketing and design for apparel. Never straying far from her love of motorcycles and leather apparel, she began freelance leather design as a side business in 1985.

Karen officially joined the Harley-Davidson Motor Company in 1989 when Harley-Davidson decided to expand its core offerings to its loyal customers by creating a branded line of apparel and accessories - Harley-Davidson MotorClothes. Each year Karen shapes the creative direction for apparel and accessory collections. Karen enjoys working with functional riding apparel and has been involved with the creative direction of all the leather collections since the launch of H-D MotorClothes. Today, after a decade of record company growth, General Merchandise's sales have increased ten-fold since 1989.

In 1991, the Council of Fashion Designers of America in New York bestowed the prestigious industry award to Karen and Harley-Davidson for fashion influence.

"The most important thing for me is to never to lose sight of our core customer. In keeping with our motorcycles perfect blend of artistry in iron, MotorClothes combines authenticity with rugged versatility," says Davidson.

Karen lives in California and has established an office in one of the motorcycling 'hubs' of the U.S. She is dedicated to supporting Harley-Davidson MDA fundraising efforts and dealer events. For relaxation, Karen and her husband enjoy long distance motorcycle trips.

Interview with Karen Davidson

When you were growing up, did you ever see yourself doing anything other than working for Harley-Davidson?

Karen Davidson: Yes I wanted to be a racer, and always thought about leathers.


What inspired you to choose fashion designing?

Karen Davidson: I loved fine arts, and was intrigued by leather, and extreme styles.


Leather is making a come back in modern fashion as this winters must have, how have you ensured Harley Davidson is a brand accessible for all women, not just those that ride a bike?

Karen Davidson: We have done leather Blasers and leather jeans, lightweight leather jackets in the MotorClothes range since 1990's. Therefore possibly may have inspired this leather trend in some way.

In 1991 the USA the Council of fashion designers of America awarded Harley-Davidson for our influence on fashion.


What inspires you when designing women's Harley Davidson merchandise and clothes?

Karen Davidson: Meeting different Riders through my travels. And continuously observing potential trends that can work for Harley.


What extra designing do you have to do for Harley Davidson clothes to be suitable to wear when riding a bike and for leisure?

Karen Davidson: The garment has to be engineered for reach of the handlebars, and comfort while riding. We ad gussets at the back and shoulder area.

Zippered cuffs to keep the wind factor out, types of leathers used are water resistant and durable to weather conditions on the road.

For the leisure wear we try and keep a sense of fashion to the functional aspect of the MotorClothes range.


What advice can you give to girls who are looking at jumping onto a bike for the first time?

Karen Davidson: Start off slow, go to a garage party held at dealerships across Australia. Look for a right fit for you on a bike, sit on as many as you can in the showroom.

Check out the accessories for the bikes, handlebars and grips are all available for customising to your fit.

Get some professional training from instructors; you might make some new friends in the riding course to ride with.


What are your plans for the future of Harley Davidson in regards to women's fashion?

Karen Davidson: We are planning to add to the range, increasing the diversity of styles and shapes for seasonal ranges.

We have introduced the pink label MotorClothes which supports the breast cancer support network in the USA, a percentage of proceeds go to this great cause.

These styles are available in Austral and New Zealand.


What designers do you wear when you are not wearing Harley Davidson clothes?

Karen Davidson: I tend to gravitate to the US and European designers, however on this visit I have discovered a few new Australian designers that I will be enjoying.


Do you own a car? How often do you ride your bike?

Karen Davidson: Yes I own a Harley-Davidson F150 UTE, there are only a few in Australia. I have three bikes at the moment, A Rod, a Bad Boy and a Road King.


What is a typical day like for you?

Karen Davidson: When travelling it's early starts and late to bed. Back home it's early and late however the looming design deadlines keep me up later.