Klein, Calvin

Klein, Calvin (Richard)

(born Nov. 19, 1942, New York, N.Y., U.S.) U.S. fashion designer. He attended the Fashion Institute of Technology. He opened his own company in 1968, when casual, hippie-style clothing was in fashion, but took a different direction by designing simple, understated, elegant clothing. Though noted at first for suits and coats, he gradually placed more emphasis on sportswear, particularly interchangeable separates. He was the first designer to win three consecutive Coty Awards for womenswear (1973–75). Over the course of the 1980s and '90s he became known for his clothing, cosmetics, linens, and other designer collections, as well as for his erotic advertising photographs, some of which have drawn public protest. His achievements represented the maturation of the American fashion industry.

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Klein, Calvin (Richard) (1942–  ) fashion designer; born in New York City. He graduated from New York's Fashion Institute of Technology in 1962. After gaining practical experience in New York, he set up his own firm in 1969, Calvin Klein, Inc., of which he was president and designer. A recipient of the Coty Award for 1973, 1974, and 1975, among other important fashion awards, he was known for his understated lines and the simple but sophisticated style of his clothing, including "designer jeans."