Donna Karan uses yellow taxi as symbol of city's resolve on 9-11 anniversary

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The DKNY Spring 2012 collection is modeled Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, during Fashion Week in New York. (AP Photo/Louis Lanzano)

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NEW YORK, N.Y. - The heart and soul of Donna Karan's DKNY brand is New York so she paid tribute on the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks using one of her city's most recognizable symbols as backdrop — a yellow taxi.

Models in loose shirtdresses, sheer sundresses, floppy hats and knee-length board shorts faced a bank of photographers Sunday during New York Fashion Week with the doors of her Chelsea studio flung open to reveal a perfectly positioned taxi.

It was a New York moment.

"We remember that day 10 years ago that changed our city forever," Karan wrote in her notes. "We remember the courage, the inspiration, the compassion. How we came together, reaffirming our strength to the world. There truly is no place anywhere like our beloved city, New York. Our inspiration."

But New York is only a thread in the larger fabric of the United States, she said. She offered several styles in a cheerful and bold red, white and blue floral print, and red-and-blue striped outfits, too.

Karan alternated between classic sportswear styles, like a navy blazer. There were also new silhouettes, including a flowing "step" skirt, with a clearly defined shorter front hemline, that seemed to be her favourite.

She said her goal was West Coast ease meets East Coast edge.

"DKNY pays homage to America's modern spirit — always creative, expressive and free," Karan said.

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AP Fashion Writer Samantha Critchell tweets from the AP Fashion Twitter account: http://twitter.com/AP_Fashion