Calvin Klein (fashion designer)
| Calvin Klein | |
|---|---|
 Klein at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival Vanity Fair party |
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| Born | Calvin Klein November 19, 1942 Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
| Spouse(s) | Jayne Centre (1964–1974) Kelly Rector (1986–2006) |
| Children | Marci |
| Labels | Calvin Klein Inc. |
Calvin Richard Klein (born November 19, 1942) is an American fashion designer of Jewish Hungarian origin who launched the company that would later become Calvin Klein Inc., in 1968. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewelry.
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Early years [edit]
Klein was born in The Bronx. He attended the High School of Art and Design and matriculated at, but never graduated from, New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, receiving an honorary Doctorate in 2003. He did his apprenticeship in 1962 at an oldline cloak-and-suit manufacturer, Dan Millstein,[citation needed] and spent five years designing at other New York shops. In 1968, he launched his first company with a childhood friend,[citation needed] Barry K. Schwartz.[1]
Klein was one of several design leaders raised in the Jewish immigrant community in the Bronx, New York, along with Robert Denning and Ralph Lauren. Klein became a protégé of Baron de Gunzburg,[1] 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. Klein was immediately recognized for his talent after his first major showing at New York Fashion Week. Klein was hailed as the new Yves Saint-Laurent, and was noted for his clean lines.
Personal life [edit]
In 1965, Klein married Jayne Centre Klein, with whom he has a daughter, Marci,[2] who currently works as Talent Producer for NBC's Saturday Night Live. Klein and Centre Klein filed for divorce in 1974.[citation needed]
In 1978, Klein's daughter Marci was kidnapped[citation needed] and held for 9 hours until a $100,000 ransom was paid. Police apprehended the culprits.
In 1986,[citation needed] Klein married Fashion Institute in NYC graduate Kelly Rector,[1] who worked for Calvin Klein Inc. at the time. She later became a well-known socialite photographer. The couple divorced in 2006.[1]
In 2003, Klein bought an ocean-front estate in Southampton Village in the Hamptons, Long Island, NY.[1]
Klein is a prolific donor to Democratic Party political causes, having given over $250,000 to candidates and PACs since 1980.[3]
Klein was in a relationship with former male porn star [4] Nick Gruber beginning in 2010.[5] They separated in April 2012 when Gruber entered rehab.[6]
Awards [edit]
In 1974, Klein designed the tight-fitting signature jeans that would go on to gross $200,000[citation needed] in their first week of sales. In the same year, Klein became the first designer to receive outstanding design in men’s and women’s wear from the CFDA award show.
In 1983 Klein was placed on the International Best Dressed List.
Also in 1981, 1983, 1993, he received an award from Councils of Fashion Designs of America.
Other [edit]
Klein made a cameo appearance in Season 3, Episode 15 ("The Bubble"), of the television series 30 Rock.[7]
He also made an appearance as himself in season 4, Episode 13 ("The Pick") of the television series Seinfeld.
References [edit]
- ^ a b c d e "Calvin j". Citylife.com. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
- ^ "Calvin Klein". Vogue. 2008-04-22. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
- ^ Calvin Klein's Federal Campaign Contribution Report
- ^ http://www.queerty.com/source-calvin-klein-and-boyfriend-nick-gruber-were-never-apart-20120116/
- ^ http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/archive/2011/10/19/mr-calvin-klein-uncensored-on-kate-moss--drug-addiction-and-his-public-meltdown.htm
- ^ http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-04-26/news/31413627_1_rehab-stint-calvin-klein-sources
- ^ Odell, Amy (2009-01-23). "Victoria Beckham Now in Russian Vogue; Calvin Klein Spotted at 30 Rock". New York. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
External links [edit]
- Info and photos related to Calvin Klein at askmen.com
- Calvin Klein talks trends on VOGUE.COM
- Calvin Klein’s bio at informat.com
- The Biography Channel
- Some History and Background on Calvin Klein
- Calvin Klein — a modern fashion icon
- People magazine,January 18,1982. Calvin Klein, King of clothes
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- 1942 births
- Living people
- American fashion businesspeople
- American fashion designers
- American people of Hungarian-Jewish descent
- Art Students League of New York alumni
- Bisexual men
- Businesspeople from New York
- Fashion Institute of Technology alumni
- LGBT fashion designers
- LGBT Jews
- Jewish fashion designers
- People from the Bronx
