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Learn about the life, success and style of American fashion designer Calvin Klein.
Transcript
With his clean, crisp clothing and sexy ad campaigns Calvin Klein has revolutionized design of men’s underwear and is the master of minimalism. Calvin Klein started his eponymous label in 1968 beginning by solely designing women’s coats. After his fashions became increasingly popular he added sportswear and women’s ready-to-wear collection. He also pioneered the designer jeans craze in the 1970’s, introduced his men’s underwear line in 1982 and began marketing now classic fragrances like Eternity, Obsession and Escape. Klein has been described the supreme master of minimalism has won numerous awards throughout his career starting back in 1973 when he won the Courtier Award for three consecutive years. And as his brand became increasingly popular especially with the success of his underwear and fragrances, he was in 1993 named America’s Best Designer for his minimalist all-American designs. His 1996 collection featured form fitting suits, while the sportswear collection was designed to show off a man’s physique. For the Spring-Summer 1997 collection, Klein captured his tradition of simplicity and elegance while incorporating new fabrics to accentuate sensuality. Wool, chiffon, nylon-organza were among the fabrics Klein used to design his sleeveless dresses with drop-waist and uneven hands. He also relied heavily on layering fabrics and contrasting colors. He clays the Spring 1998 collection where he called his ‘98 fashion “Intrinsically elegant, naturally unassuming.” Klein’s inspiration from US sportswear was evident—sweatpants, sweatshirts, jerseys and warm-up gear were all represented with the addition of zippers, drawstrings and stretch bands. The label over the years has become known for its highly provocative advertisements featuring sometimes scantily Klein models and actors. One campaign has even featured dancing models invading New York City’s Time Square in what was the first ever live billboard promoting CK One. Actress Scarlet Johannsson was selected by Calvin Klein in 2004 as one of the most promising stars of her generation. Johannson became the face of Eternity Moment where she featured in a commercial for the fragrance. The Eternity Moment bottle is a reinterpretation from an earlier Calvin Klein classic Eternity, first released in 1988. Klein doesn’t just have celebrities appearing in his advertising campaigns, he also has them wearing his outfits on the red carpet. Keira Knightley was dress schickly in Calvin Klein while posing for photographers. And award-winning Hillary Swank looks stunning in her satin, chocolate brown gown at the Golden Globe’s. In 2002, Brazilian born designer Francisco Costa joined the team and with Klein’s departure was made the label’s Creative Director. Costa has said that staying true to the classic simplicity of the original Calvin Klein look and brand is still a design priority but his coats have appeared to be lighter and more feminine than Klein’s in previous years. In 2008, celebrity Klein’s past and present of the famed fashion designer walked the red carpet to pay homage to the man and his self-titled label on its 40th anniversary. Taking part in the festivities was actress Brooke Shields who famously said, “Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.” in a commercial for the fashion giant in 1981. Other celebrities that attended included Halle Berry, Kevin Bacon, Cynthia Nixon and Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Actress Naomi Watts praised Klein’s timeless ease that has become his signature over the past four decades. With his various clothing lines, perfumes and colognes Calvin Klein is widely considered one of the most outstanding American fashion designers.
