Calvin Klein

Last updated

Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein 2011 Shankbone.JPG
Klein in 2011
Born
Calvin Richard Klein

(1942-11-19) November 19, 1942 (age 81)
New York City, U.S.
Education Fashion Institute of Technology
OccupationFashion designer
Label Calvin Klein Inc.
Spouses
Jayne Centre
​
​
(m. 1965;div. 1974)​
Kelly Rector
​
​
(m. 1986;div. 2006)​

Calvin Richard Klein (born November 19, 1942) is an American fashion designer who launched the company that later became Calvin Klein Inc., in 1968. In addition to clothing, he also has given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewellery.

Contents

Early life and career

Klein was born on November 19, 1942, to an Austro-Hungarian Jewish family in the Bronx, New York City, the son of Flore (née Stern; 1909–2006) and Leo Klein. [1] [2] Leo was born in Boiany then in Austria-Hungary now in Ukraine and had immigrated to New York, while Flore was born in the United States to immigrants from Galicia and Bukovina, Austria-Hungary (modern day-Ukraine). [3] [4]

Klein went to Isobel Rooney Middle School 80 (M.S.80) as a child. He attended the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan and attended New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, leaving for six months after his first year before returning to finish his degree. He received an honorary doctorate from FIT in 2003. [5] He did his apprenticeship in 1962 at an old line cloak-and-suit manufacturer, Dan Millstein, [6] and spent five years designing at other New York City shops. [7] In 1968, he launched his first company with his childhood best friend, [8] Barry K. Schwartz. [8] [9]

He became a protégé of Baron de Gunzburg, [9] through whose introductions he became the toast of the New York elite fashion scene even before he had his first mainstream success with the launch of his first jeans line. He was immediately recognized for his talent after his first major showing at New York Fashion Week. He was hailed as the new Yves Saint Laurent, and was noted for his clean lines.[ citation needed ]

In 1974, Klein designed the tight-fitting signature jeans that went on to gross $200,000 in their first week of sales. [10]

In 1998, Klein participated in a celebrity reading of "The Emperor's New Clothes," for The Starbright Foundation to benefit ill children. [11]

On the question of why he doesn't produce any bigger clothing sizes, he said: "The reason I do not make clothes over a size fourteen is that women should not be over a size 14." [12]

Personal life

Klein is a supporter of the U.S. Democratic Party, having given over $250,000 to candidates and PACs since 1980. [13]

Relationships

Klein married Jayne Centre, a textile designer, in 1964. [14] They have a daughter, television producer Marci Klein, [15] who is best known for her work on NBC's Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock . The couple divorced in 1974. [14] In September 1986, Klein married his assistant Kelly Rector in Rome while they were on a buying trip in Italy. [14] She later became a well-known socialite photographer. After separating in 1996, they divorced in April 2006. [9]

Klein dated gay ex-porn star Nicholas Gruber. [16] [17] [18]

Homes

For many years, Klein owned a home in Fire Island Pines, New York on Fire Island. [19] He hosted friends such as artist Andy Warhol, Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell, Fashion designer Chester Weinberg, and media mogul David Geffen. [20] Although he sold the property in 1995, it is still known as "The Calvin Klein House." [21]

In 2003, Klein bought an ocean-front estate in Southampton, New York, on Long Island and demolished it to build a $75 million glass-and-concrete mansion. [9] [22] In 2015, he put his Miami Beach, Florida mansion on the market for $16 million. [23] The Florida home sold for $12,850,000 in February 2017. In June 2015, Klein bought a mansion in Los Angeles, California, for $25 million. [24]

Awards

In 1974, Klein also became the first designer to receive outstanding design in men's and women's wear from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award show.[ citation needed ] In 1983, he was placed on the International Best Dressed List. [25] Also in 1981, 1983, and 1993, he received an award from the CFDA. [26] In 1991, he received the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award. [27]

In pop culture

Klein made a cameo appearance in season 3, episode 15 ("The Bubble") of the television series 30 Rock . [28] A fictionalized version of him also appears in season 4, episode 12 ("The Pick") of the television series Seinfeld . The name Calvin Klein was used by Marty McFly in the 1985 hit blockbuster movie Back to the Future .

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Karan</span> American fashion designer

Donna Karan, also known as DK, is an American fashion designer and the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Ford</span> American fashion designer and filmmaker

Thomas Carlyle Ford is an American fashion designer and filmmaker. He launched his eponymous brand in 2005, having previously been the creative director at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. Ford wrote and directed the films A Single Man (2009) and Nocturnal Animals (2016). From 2019 to 2022, he was chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Hilfiger</span> American fashion designer

Thomas Jacob Hilfiger is an American fashion designer and the founder of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralph Lauren</span> American fashion designer and executive (born 1939)

Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer, philanthropist, and billionaire businessman, best known for founding the brand Ralph Lauren, a global multibillion-dollar enterprise. He has become well known for his collection of rare automobiles, some of which have been displayed in museum exhibits. He stepped down as CEO of the company in September 2015 but remains executive chairman and chief creative officer. As of April 2024, his net worth was estimated at US$8.8 billion.

Robert Lee Morris is an American jewelry designer and sculptor, who attributes much of his inspiration to organic forms he admires in nature and to designing for an imaginary futuristic society. His designs have been made in gold, silver and bronze and he is known for his 24 carat matte gold plating and rich deep red copper and green patina. He has collaborated or designed collections for fashion designers Geoffrey Beene, Kansai Yamamoto, Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Michael Kors and Donna Karan. Morris was awarded the Coty Award (1981) and the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award by the CFDA Awards (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carolina Herrera</span> Venezuelan fashion designer (born 1939)

Carolina Herrera is a Venezuelan American fashion designer. Known for her personal style, she founded her namesake brand in 1980. Herrera has dressed various First Ladies of the United States, including Jacqueline Onassis, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, and Melania Trump.

Raf Jan Simons is a Belgian fashion designer. Beginning in furniture design, Simons launched his own menswear label in 1995. He was creative director at Jil Sander (2005–2012), Christian Dior (2012–2015), and Calvin Klein (2016–2018). As of 1 April 2020, he is the co-creative director of Prada, in partnership with Miuccia Prada.

Calvin Klein Collection was the brand name for the high-end designer womenswear and menswear lines from fashion house Calvin Klein which were presented on the catwalks of New York Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Costa (designer)</span>

Francisco Costa is a Brazilian designer and the Women's Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection. Costa won the Council of Fashion Designers America (CFDA) award for Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2006 as well as in 2008. Costa also won the National Design Award in 2009 in the category of Fashion Design. More recently he launched a beauty concept called Costa Brazil inspired by his native Brazil (www.livecostabrazil.com).

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc. (CFDA), founded in 1962 by publicist Eleanor Lambert, and headquartered in Manhattan, is a not-for-profit trade association comprising a membership of over 450 American fashion and accessory designers. The organization promotes American designers in the global economy.

Stuart Vevers is a British fashion designer. He graduated from the University of Westminster in 1996. His first job was at Calvin Klein, followed by Bottega Veneta, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton, where he worked with Marc Jacobs. He joined Mulberry as creative director in 2005 and was instrumental in the company's success, transforming their leather goods into the must-have bags. He has also collaborated with Luella Bartley and Designer of the Year, Giles Deacon. In 2006, he won the British Fashion Council's Accessory Designer of the Year award. In July 2007 it was announced that he had been appointed creative director of Loewe, and, on 25 June 2013, Vevers was announced to be the executive creative director at American label Coach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Som</span> Chinese American fashion designer (born 1970)

Peter Som is a Chinese American fashion designer. He was creative director for Bill Blass and creative consultant for Tommy Hilfiger, where he designed the women’s wear collection, prior to founding his eponymous label. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Peter Som graduated from Connecticut College in 1993 with a degree in art history. He continued his studies at the Parsons School of Design where he apprenticed with American designers, Michael Kors and Calvin Klein. At Parsons, his talent was recognized through competitions; he won and was presented with the Parsons Gold Thimble Award by Isaac Mizrahi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fabien Baron</span> French director and editor (born 1959)

Fabien Baron is a French director, art director and magazine editor. He is best known for his iconic ad campaigns and work as editorial director of Andy Warhol's Interview magazine.

Italo Zucchelli (born June 4, 1965 in La Spezia, Italy is an Italian fashion designer, the Men's creative director of Calvin Klein Collection from 2004 to 2016. Designated by Calvin Klein to take over the men's wear in 2004, Italo Zucchelli is credited for amplifying the brand's minimalism and "Americanism".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Spurr</span> British fashion designer

Simon James Spurr is a British fashion designer based in New York City. He is the creative director and designer of shoe label March NYC.

Karl Templer is a British-born New York-based fashion stylist. He is creative director of Interview and his work has appeared in publications internationally including Vogue Italia, Vogue Paris, W, and The New York Times. Templer has styled brand campaigns and shows for designers including Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, Sacai and Valentino, and collaborates frequently with photographers Fabien Baron, David Sims, Craig McDean, Steven Meisel.

Paul Andrew is an English fashion designer. He launched his eponymous women's footwear line in September 2012. He is creative director of Italian shoe brand Sergio Rossi and, previously, at Salvatore Ferragamo.

Rubin & Chapelle is a New York-based fashion company founded by designers Kip Chapelle and Sonja Rubin.

The Row is an American luxury fashion label established by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in 2006 in New York City. The Row produces ready-to-wear clothing, footwear, handbags and accessories. The label has five monobrand stores and is available in 37 countries. The brand has been described as "an American answer to Loro Piana and Phoebe Philo-era Céline".

Telfar Clemens is a Liberian-American fashion designer and the founder of the fashion label Telfar. Clemens won the 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, and won the CFDA Fashion Award for American Accessories Designer of the Year in 2020 and 2021.

References

  1. ↑ Marsh, Lisa (April 5, 2004). The House of Klein: Fashion, Controversy, and a Business Obsession. Wiley. ISBN   978-0-471-47895-9.
  2. ↑ "Flore Klein". FamilySearch . Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ↑ "Max Stern". FamilySearch . Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ↑ "Max Stern". FamilySearch . Archived from the original on September 20, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ↑ Dakers, Diane (2011). Calvin Klein: fashion design superstar. St. Catharines, Ont.; New York: Crabtree Pub. Co. ISBN   978-1-4271-9466-4.
  6. ↑ "Calvin Klein". Fashion Elite. September 20, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Calvin Klein".
  8. 1 2 Chevalier, Michel (2012). Luxury Brand Management. Singapore: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN   978-1-118-17176-9.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Calvin j". Citylife.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  10. ↑ Morgan, Philippa (November 22, 2016). "Calvin Klein: How the Fashion Phenomenon Kept His Cool". Vogue. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Audio Special: Celebrity Readings From 'The Emperor's New Clothes'". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  12. ↑ Cootie, Kate (November 14, 2024). "cooties #7. As if Starvation Imagery werent enough (page 18)". fatlibarchive.org. Retrieved November 14, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ↑ Archived December 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  14. 1 2 3 Gross, Michael. "The Latest Calvin". Originally New York magazine. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Calvin Klein". Vogue . April 22, 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2010.
  16. ↑ Moylan, Brian (August 31, 2010). "Calvin Klein's Underwear Model Boyfriend Also Starred in Gay Porn". www.gawker.com/. Gawker. Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  17. ↑ Hannah Elliott (October 18, 2011). "Calvin Klein On Kate Moss, Ralph Lauren, Love And Other Drugs". Forbes.com.
  18. ↑ "Calvin Klein's Boyfriend Doesn't Want Any Gay People to Touch Him". August 19, 2013. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013.
  19. ↑ "The Visionary: Calvin Klein". Interview Magazine. August 28, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  20. ↑ Warhol, Andy; Hackett, Pat (1989). The Andy Warhol Diaries. New York, NY: Warner Books. pp. 453–455. ISBN   978-0-446-51426-2.
  21. ↑ "The Sloan/ Calvin Klein/ David Geffen house Est.1972". Fire Island Pines Historical Society. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  22. ↑ Bernstein, Jacob (August 30, 2013). "The House That Calvin Built". New York Times. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Fashion Icon Calvin Klein Snips the Price of His Fabulous Florida Estate". realtor.com News. November 2, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  24. ↑ "Calvin Klein Buys Big in the Bird Streets: Let's Go Inside!". At Home in Hollywood. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Introducing the International Best-Dressed List 2016 Hall of Fame". Vanity Fair. September 8, 2016. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  26. ↑ "CFDA Fashion Awards" . Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement". www.achievement.org. American Academy of Achievement.
  28. ↑ Odell, Amy (January 23, 2009). "Victoria Beckham Now in Russian Vogue; Calvin Klein Spotted at 30 Rock". New York . Retrieved March 11, 2010.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.