Stephan Weiss; Husband of Designer Donna Karan

Stephan Weiss, 62, husband of fashion designer Donna Karan who helped his wife establish one of America’s leading clothing firms, died June 9 of lung cancer in New York City.

Weiss attended the Pratt Institute and worked for his father’s firm, which made sets and draperies for Broadway theaters.

Weiss and Karan met on a blind date about 35 years ago and were married in 1983. Weiss helped negotiate licensing agreements within the company, and he structured departments as the firm rapidly grew in the 1980s.

A sculptor and painter, Weiss was Karan’s most trusted critic. When she brought out her first perfume in 1992, Weiss designed the black and gold bottle, based on the curve of a woman’s back.