Klein, Calvin, 1942- (1942-)
Dates
- Existence: 1942-
Biography
Calvin Richard Klein was born on November 19, 1942, in the Bronx, New York to Jewish-Hungarian immigrants. He first attended the High School of Industrial Art, then studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Upon graduating in 1962 at age 20, he began apprenticing for a coat and suit manufacturer on Seventh Avenue. Six years later, he opened his own company (with the help of Barry Schwartz, a childhood friend), designing simple, minimalist garments which contrasted with the flower-power aesthetic of the period. Klein was in charge of all things creative while Schwartz ran the business side of the company. Klein's early designs were primarily suit and coat styles, but he gradually expanded into women's sportswear. Bonwit Teller was an early supporter of Klein, selling the designer's goods in their department stores. By the early 1970s, Klein was selling millions of dollars worth of products. Klein was awarded three consecutive Coty Awards from 1973 to 1975. By entering the denim market in the mid 1970s and later licensing his name to other products, Klein was able to gain a large following. The advertisements for Calvin Klein products became infamous in the 1990s; attractive, young models wearing Klein's clothes and posing "provocatively" made Klein a household name. Klein sold his company in 2003 to Phillips–Van Heusen for an estimated $430 million. Klein published a memoir in 2017 discussing his career.
Found in 41 Collections and/or Records:
February 10-11, 1990, 1990
This folder contains a column and 8 8x10 black and white photographs of designs by Calvin Klein
January 24-25, 1998, 1998
This folder contains a column on the little black dress and color and black and white photos by Bill Blass, Joan Halpern, Oscar de la Renta, Isabel Toledo and Calvin Klein.
Judith Parkas interview, 1994 November 10, 1994 November 10
July 27-28, 1998, 1998
This folder contains a column on skirts and black and white photos of ensembles by Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and Calvin Klein.
June 20-21, 1998, 1998
This folder contains a column on suits and black and white photos of suits by Badgley Mischka, Calvin Klein, Bill Blass and Ralph Lauren.
March 4-5, 1989, 1989
This folder contains 13 8x10 black and white photographs of designs by Calvin Klein
May 2-3, 1987, 1987
This folder contains 3 8x10 black and white photographs of Calvin Klein, Laura Biagiotti, and other fashions.
May 6-7, 1995, 1995
This folder contains a column on American menswear and black and white photocopies of photos of menswear by Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, J.O.E., DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Joseph Abboud, Andrew Fezza, and Donna Karan.
Newt Godnick interview, 1994 November 1, 1994 November 1
November 5-6, 1994, 1994
This folder contains a column on silhouettes and black and white photocopies of photos of ensembles by Carolina Herrera, John Rocha, Yves Saint Laurent, and Calvin Klein.