Donna Karan has defended Harvey Weinstein, the film mogul accused of sexual harassment, asking whether women nowadays are "asking for it" by the way they act and dress.
Many, including Dame Judi Dench and Helen Mirren, have condemned the alleged actions of the film mogul, but fashion designer Karan on Sunday called her friend "wonderful".
She said women need to decide of the way they dress means they are "asking for it".
Karan made the comments at the CinéFashion film awards in Los Angeles.
She said: "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.
"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?
"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."
Karan said Weinstein and his wife were "wonderful people" and that the film producer had done "amazing things".
Rose McGowan, one of Weinstein’s accusers, said Donna Karan was "scum" for her comments.
Mia Farrow said: "No more Donna Karan for me."
Karan has since distanced herself from her comments, arguing they were taken out of context.
She said: "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.
"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."