Fashion designer Donna Karan is standing by Harvey Weinstein and has suggested his alleged victims may have been 'asking for it' by the way the women act and dress.

During a red carpet interview at the CinéFashion Film Awards on Sunday, the DKNY creator was asked to weigh in on the scandal hours after the disgraced film mogul was fired from his company.

Unlike many Hollywood stars and celebs, Karan did not condemn the 65-year-old, who has been accused of sexually harassing multiple woman over the span of decades, and instead pointed the finger at his accusers.

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Donna Karan, 69, defended Harvey Weinstein, 65, during a red carpet interview at the CinéFashion Film Awards on Sunday

Karan and Weinstein smile for the cameras at The Hunting Party film premiere in 2007

She told a reporter: 'I think we have to look at ourselves. Obviously, the treatment of women all over the world is something that has always had to be identified. Certainly in the country of Haiti where I work, in Africa, in the developing world, it's been a hard time for women.

'To see it here in our own country is very difficult, but I also think how do we display ourselves? How do we present ourselves as women? What are we asking? Are we asking for it by presenting all the sensuality and all the sexuality?

'And what are we throwing out to our children today about how to dance and how to perform and what to wear? How much should they show?'

Karan's comments are striking as a legend in the fashion world and having designed women's clothing for decades.

Her comments come as many of Weinstein's former friends, including Judi Dench and Meryl Streep, have denounced the producer based on the bombshell allegations.

She added that she knows Weinstein's wife Georgina Chapman and described the couple as 'wonderful people.'

When asked whether Hollywood has been 'busted', she replied with a smile: 'I don't think it's only Harvey Weinstein.

Harvey Weinstein (standing), Michael Kors (center seated) and Donna Karan (right) share a joke at the amfAR New York Gala in 2010

'I don't think we're only looking at him. I think we're looking at a world much deeper than that.'

'Yes, I think he's being looked at right now as a symbol, not necessarily as him. I know his wife, I think they're wonderful people, Harvey has done some amazing things. I think we have to look at our world and what we want to say and how we want to say it as well.'

The 69-year-old went on to say that the issue at hand is not solely Weinstein's fault.

'You look at everything all over the world today and how women are dressing and what they are asking by just presenting themselves the way they do. What are they asking for? Trouble,' she said.

Karan was honored at the the 4th Annual CinéFashion Film Awards at The El Capitan Theatre in LA on Sunday night.

She received the Designer Icon Award, in recognition of 'her outstanding work as one of the most influential fashion designers in the world. as a versatile Innovator, and a pioneer designer in women’s wear and American fashion among other fashion and film icons.'

The event benefited the nonprofit Children Uniting Nations.

The New York fashion legend who has been designing women's clothing for decades told a reporter: 'we have to look at ourselves' and question how women are presenting themselves and their sexuality

In a statement sent just after midnight on Tuesday to DailyMail.com, Karan claimed that her remarks had been 'taken out of context'.

'Last night, I was honored at the Cinemoi Fashion Film Awards in Hollywood and while answering a question on the red carpet I made a statement that unfortunately is not representative of how I feel or what I believe,' she said.

'I have spent my life championing women. My life has been dedicated to dressing and addressing the needs of women, empowering them and promoting equal rights.

'My statements were taken out of context and do not represent how I feel about the current situation concerning Harvey Weinstein.

'I believe that sexual harassment is NOT acceptable and this is an issue that MUST be addressed once and for all regardless of the individual. I am truly sorry to anyone that I offended and everyone that has ever been a victim.'

Karan said that she knows Weinstein's wife Georgina Chapman (pictured) and described the couple as 'wonderful people.' The film mogul was fired by his company after he was accused of sexually harassing multiple woman over the span of decades

After Karan's report circulated online, Rose McGowan - one of Weinstein's alleged victims, and a vocal opponent of the producer online - called her 'deplorable.'

In a tweet on Sunday, McGowan posted a screenshot of this DailyMail.com article with the message 'Donna Karan you are a DEPLORABLE.

'Aiding and abetting is a moral crime. You are scum in a fancy dress.'

According to The New York Times report that initiated Weinstein's downfall this week, McGowan sued the producer in the 1990s but settled out of court for $100,000.

In doing so, she had to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) forbidding her from talking about the case.

She hasn't named Weinstein directly in any of her Twitter comments so far, but has referred obliquely to abuse that she sustained.

Last year, she tweeted under the hashtag #WhyWomenDontReport with the message 'Because my ex sold our movie to my rapist for distribution'.

And on Sunday she posted a photo of herself taken in March 1997 at the Independent Spirit Awards in Los Angeles, writing: 'This is the girl that was hurt by a monster. This is who you are shaming with your silence.'

That picture was taken just two months after an incident occurred between McGowan and Weinstein inside a hotel room during the Sundance Film Festival.

Rose McGowan ripped into fashion designed Donna Karan on Twitter on Monday, after she remarked that Harvey Weinstein's alleged victims 'may have been asking for trouble'