Calvin Klein, one of the most important creators of the 20th century, is known as the designer who internationalized ‘sexy’ fashion and popularized the most controversial advertising campaigns. The creator was born in 1942 in the Bronx neighborhood of New York City, into a Hungarian immigrant family.
Since he was a child, Klein showed great ability with the plastic arts and, more specifically, with drawing, since he did it with great talent without having had any training. In 1966 he began his design studies at the High School of Art and Design and enrolled at New York’s in 1962. Afterwards, he spent a few years working with a coat manufacturer in his hometown, where he gained some experience in the clothing industry. Fashion.
In 1968, Calvin Klein founded the company Calvin Klein Limited together with his childhood friend Barry Schwartz, who lent him the money for the initial investment in the business. The New Yorker’s firm was widely accepted, and soon positioned itself at the level of big brands such as Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. In the 1970s, Klein gained great popularity for pioneering a line of designer jeans and reinventing the concept of underwear. However, it was not until 1980 when his brand experienced its definitive boom, thanks to the advertising campaign in which actress Brooke Shields appeared, aged 15, and read the phrase: “Do you want to know what stands between me and my Calvins?” ? Nothing”.
This action caused a stir and controversy among citizens and critics, since they were facing one of the first suggestive campaigns with sexual content of the time. Over the next decade, the brand branched out, birthing its famed CK One line of unisex fragrances, as well as Calvin Klein Platinum, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, Calvin Klein Underwear, and Calvin Klein Home, among others.
In the 1990s, the American designer continued to succeed thanks to his sober and minimalist collections, devoid of all kinds of decorations and ornaments. His maxims were clear in everything he did: naturalness, elegance and sensuality. In 1993, Klein received the award for best male and female designer, and in 2001 he also received recognition from this institution for his long career. In 2003, when his company was already a giant in the international market, the designer decided to sell it to the North American conglomerate PVH Corp.
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