By Ana Calderone

11/07/2014 AT 10:55 AM EST

"At first, I felt it was really important to give them something that could help. So we supplied tents and living facilities," Karan, 66, tells PEOPLE of her Urban Zen Foundation. "Then, when I went down to visit, I realized that everybody here is an artist and their creativity is so much a part of their being."

So as a designer, Karan did what she does best.

"My dream was to work with them to develop products and help communicate what the soul and spirit of Haiti was all about," she recalls. "They're making truly artisan products of a high quality."

Now, Karan plans to open a holiday marketplace at her Urban Zen center in downtown New York City on Nov. 21, featuring products from Haiti and countries around the world, with proceeds going back to the preservation of artisan culture.

And her efforts don't stop there.

"We're looking into opening a vocational school in Haiti because it's important to be able to give people jobs," she says. "It's not just giving money, it's giving people education and helping them create something that they're passionate about."

"I really believe the concept of conscious consumerism, and when you wear something that affects peoples lives, thats the happiest you could possibly feel."

For more of our interview with Karan, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday

Excerpt from:
How Donna Karan Is Working to Help Preserve the Culture of Haiti