:Calvin Klein

{{about|the fashion designer|his company|Calvin Klein (fashion house)}}

{{Infobox fashion designer

| name = Calvin Klein

| image = Calvin Klein 2011 Shankbone.JPG

| caption = Klein in 2011

| birth_name = {{nowrap|Calvin Richard Klein}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1942|11|19}}

| birth_place = New York City, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = Fashion designer

| net worth =

| education = Fashion Institute of Technology

| label_name = Calvin Klein Inc.

| awards =

| spouse = {{plainlist|

{{marriage|Jayne Centre|1965|1974|reason=divorced}}
{{marriage|Kelly Rector|1986|2006|reason=divorced}}

}}

| partner = Kevin Baker (2016–present)

| children = Marci Klein

| child = Marci Klein

}}

Calvin Richard Klein (born November 19, 1942) is an American fashion designer. In 1968, he launched the company that later became Calvin Klein. In addition to clothing, he has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewellery.

Early life and education

Klein was born on November 19, 1942, to a Jewish family in the Bronx, New York the son of Flore (née Stern; 1909–2006) and Leo Klein.{{cite book|author=Marsh, Lisa|url=https://archive.org/details/houseofklein00lisa/page/10|title= The House of Klein: Fashion, Controversy, and a Business Obsession|isbn=978-0-471-47895-9|publisher=Wiley|date=April 5, 2004}}{{cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VM7C-GPP|title=Flore Klein|website=FamilySearch|access-date=June 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920165834/https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VM7C-GPP|archive-date=September 20, 2021|url-status=bot: unknown}} His father was born in Boiany, Austria-Hungary (now Ukraine) and had immigrated to New York.{{cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WZS-GPB|title=Max Stern|website=FamilySearch|access-date=June 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920165829/https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WZS-GPB|archive-date=September 20, 2021|url-status=bot: unknown}} He was born in the United States to immigrants from Galicia and Bukovina, Austria-Hungary (now Ukraine).{{cite web|url=https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24H6-STC|title=Max Stern|website=FamilySearch|access-date=June 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920165620/https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:24H6-STC|archive-date=September 20, 2021|url-status=bot: unknown}}

As a child, Klein attended J.H.S. 80 in the Bronx.{{Cite web |last=Cruz |first=David |date=2012-05-30 |title=J.H.S. 80 changes name – Bronx Times |url=https://www.bxtimes.com/j-h-s-80-changes-name/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=www.bxtimes.com |language=en-US}} He earned a diploma at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan.{{Cite web |date=2018-07-09 |title=Inside New York’s famed high school for the creative arts |url=https://www.huckmag.com/article/inside-new-yorks-famed-high-school-arts |access-date=2025-04-09 |website=Huck |language=en-GB}} After graduation, he attended New York's Fashion Institute of Technology, leaving for six months after his first year before returning to finish his degree.

Career

Klein did his apprenticeship in 1962 at an old line cloak-and-suit manufacturer, Dan Millstein,{{Cite web|url=https://fashionelite.com/profile/calvin-klein/|title=Calvin Klein|date=September 20, 2016|website=Fashion Elite|language=en-US|access-date=March 18, 2020}} and spent five years designing at other New York City shops.{{cite web | url=https://fragrancesgalaxy.com/product-brand/calvin-klein/ | title=Calvin Klein }}

In 1968, Klein launched his first company with his childhood friend Barry K. Schwartz.{{cite book |last=Chevalier |first=Michel |title=Luxury Brand Management |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-118-17176-9 |location=Singapore}}{{cite web|url=http://cityfile.com/profiles/calvin-klein|title=Calvin j|publisher=Citylife.com|access-date=January 28, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901185806/http://cityfile.com/profiles/calvin-klein|archive-date=September 1, 2009}} When Schwartz was considering buying a supermarket in Harlem, Klein informed him that he wanted to "design medium priced clothes with a clean look."{{Cite news |last=Ellis |first=Lana |date=1969-01-19 |title=2 Young Men Have Designs On Fashion's Best Address |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-calvin-klein-clothe/169911622/ |access-date=2025-04-09 |work=The Courier-Journal |pages=G 14}} "When I said I needed money to start out on my own, he said 'You've got it,'" Klein said. Schwartz also became his business manager. After leaving his manufacturing job, Klein set up an office in a hotel room, began designing coats, and eventually brought his creations to Bonwit Teller, where a buyer liked them.

He became a protégé of Baron de Gunzburg, who introduced him to the New York elite fashion scene before he had his first mainstream success with the launch of his first jeans line. He was immediately recognized for his talent after his first major showing at New York Fashion Week. He was hailed as the new Yves Saint Laurent, and was noted for his clean lines.{{Cite web |last=Lockwood |first=Lisa |date=2024-01-02 |title=Calvin Klein: A History and Timeline |url=https://wwd.com/feature/calvin-klein-history-1236091817/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=WWD |language=en-US}}

In 1974, Klein designed the tight-fitting signature jeans that went on to gross $200,000 in their first week of sales.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=Philippa |date=November 22, 2016 |title=Calvin Klein: How the Fashion Phenomenon Kept His Cool |url=http://en.vogue.me/fashion/calvin-klein-designer-fashion-facts/ |access-date=December 15, 2016 |website=Vogue}}

In 1998, Klein participated in a celebrity reading of The Emperor's New Clothes for The Starbright Foundation to benefit ill children.{{Cite web |title=Audio Special: Celebrity Readings From 'The Emperor's New Clothes' |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/98/12/20/specials/emperor.html |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=archive.nytimes.com}}

Personal life

Klein is a supporter of the U.S. Democratic Party, having given over $250,000 to candidates and PACs since 1980.[http://newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Calvin_Klein.php] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213160547/http://newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Calvin_Klein.php|date=December 13, 2007}}

= Relationships =

Klein married Jayne Centre, a textile designer, in 1964.{{cite web|last1=Gross|first1=Michael|title=The Latest Calvin|url=http://mgross.com/writing/profiles/calvin-klein/|publisher=Originally New York magazine|access-date=July 14, 2014|ref=NY Mag}} Despite going to the same high school and growing up next door in New York, Klein and Centre didn't meet and begin dating until college. They have a daughter, television producer Marci Klein,{{cite magazine|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080422-calvin-klein-biography.aspx|title=Calvin Klein|date=April 22, 2008|magazine=Vogue|access-date=January 28, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090718043633/http://www.vogue.co.uk/biographies/080422-calvin-klein-biography.aspx|archive-date=July 18, 2009}} who is best known for her work on NBC's Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. The couple divorced in 1974.

In September 1986, Klein married his assistant Kelly Rector in Rome while they were on a buying trip in Italy. She later became a well-known socialite photographer. After separating in 1996, they divorced in April 2006.

From 2010 to 2012, Klein dated gay ex-porn star Nicholas Gruber, who is 47 years younger.{{cite web |last1=Moylan |first1=Brian |title=Calvin Klein's Underwear Model Boyfriend Also Starred in Gay Porn |url=https://www.gawker.com/5626955/calvin-kleins-underwear-model-boyfriend-also-did-some-gay-porn |website=www.gawker.com/ |date=August 31, 2010 |publisher=Gawker |access-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026222752/https://www.gawker.com/5626955/calvin-kleins-underwear-model-boyfriend-also-did-some-gay-porn |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|author=Hannah Elliott |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hannahelliott/2011/10/18/calvin-klein-on-kate-moss-ralph-lauren-love-and-other-drugs/ |title=Calvin Klein On Kate Moss, Ralph Lauren, Love And Other Drugs |work=Forbes.com |date=October 18, 2011}}{{Cite news|url=http://gawker.com/calvin-kleins-boyfriend-doesnt-want-any-gay-people-to-1168040884|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130819220316/http://gawker.com/calvin-kleins-boyfriend-doesnt-want-any-gay-people-to-1168040884|archive-date = August 19, 2013|title = Calvin Klein's Boyfriend Doesn't Want Any Gay People to Touch Him| newspaper=Gawker | date=August 19, 2013 | last1=Musto | first1=Michael }} In 2016, Klein began dating model Kevin Baker.{{Cite web |last=Estera |first=Christine |date=January 31, 2024 |title=Calvin Klein, 81, steps out with model boyfriend Kevin Baker, 35, for a gym session in LA |url=https://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/calvin-klein-81-steps-out-with-model-boyfriend-kevin-baker-35-for-a-gym-session-in-la/news-story/571dc6d2e8babe2497dad9fb84175668 |website=NT News}}

= Homes =

For many years, Klein owned a home in Fire Island Pines, New York on Fire Island.{{Cite web |date=2013-08-28 |title=The Visionary: Calvin Klein |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/calvin-klein |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}} He hosted friends such as artist Andy Warhol, Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell, Fashion designer Chester Weinberg, and media mogul David Geffen.{{Cite book |last1=Warhol |first1=Andy |url=http://archive.org/details/andywarholdiarie00warh |title=The Andy Warhol Diaries |last2=Hackett |first2=Pat |date=1989 |publisher=Warner Books |isbn=978-0-446-51426-2 |location=New York, NY |pages=453–455}} Although he sold the property in 1995, it is still known as "The Calvin Klein House."{{Cite web |title=The Sloan/ Calvin Klein/ David Geffen house Est.1972 |url=https://www.pineshistory.org/the-archives/the-sloane-calvin-klein-david-geffen-house-1972 |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=Fire Island Pines Historical Society |language=en-US}}

In 2003, Klein bought an ocean-front estate in Southampton, New York, on Long Island and demolished it to build a $75 million glass-and-concrete mansion.{{cite news |last1=Bernstein |first1=Jacob |title=The House That Calvin Built |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/01/fashion/the-house-that-calvin-klein-built.html |website=New York Times |date=August 30, 2013 |access-date=June 18, 2020}} In 2015, he put his Miami Beach, Florida mansion on the market for $16 million.{{cite web |title=Fashion Icon Calvin Klein Snips the Price of His Fabulous Florida Estate |url=https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/calvin-klein-alters-price-florida-estate/ |website=realtor.com News |date=November 2, 2016 |access-date=June 18, 2020}} The Florida home sold for $12,850,000 in February 2017. In June 2015, Klein bought a mansion in Los Angeles, California, for $25 million.{{cite web |title=Calvin Klein Buys Big in the Bird Streets: Let's Go Inside! |url=https://athomeinhollywood.com/2015/06/26/calvin-klein-buys-big-in-the-bird-streets/ |website=At Home in Hollywood |date=June 26, 2015 |access-date=June 18, 2020}}

Awards and honors

In 1974, Klein also became the first designer to receive outstanding design in men's and women's wear from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award show.{{citation needed|date=November 2014}} In 1983, he was placed on the International Best Dressed List.{{cite magazine|title=Introducing the International Best-Dressed List 2016 Hall of Fame|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/style/2016/09/international-best-dressed-list-hall-of-fame-2016|magazine=Vanity Fair|date=September 8, 2016|access-date=December 15, 2016}} Also in 1981, 1983, and 1993, he received an award from the CFDA.{{cite web|url=http://cfda.com/cfda-fashion-awards#past-winners|title=CFDA Fashion Awards|access-date=August 11, 2016}}

In 1991, he received the American Academy of Achievement's Golden Plate Award.{{cite web|title= Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement |website=www.achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url= https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/all-honorees/}}

Klein received an honorary doctorate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2003.{{cite book |last1=Dakers |first1=Diane |title=Calvin Klein: fashion design superstar |date=2011 |publisher=Crabtree Pub. Co |isbn=978-1-4271-9466-4 |location=St. Catharines, Ont.; New York}}

In pop culture

Klein made a cameo appearance in season 3, episode 15 ("The Bubble") of the television series 30 Rock.{{cite news|first=Amy|last=Odell|url=http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/01/am_links_21.html|title=Victoria Beckham Now in Russian Vogue; Calvin Klein Spotted at 30 Rock|access-date=March 11, 2010|date=January 23, 2009|work=New York}} A fictionalized version of him also appears in season 4, episode 12 ("The Pick") of the television series Seinfeld.

The name Calvin Klein was used by Marty McFly in the 1985 film Back to the Future, after a woman sees his underwear.

References

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20070831160131/http://au.askmen.com/men/business_politics/36_calvin_klein.html Info and photos related to Calvin Klein at askmen.com]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20100822022417/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/100810-calvin-klein-antitrend-ethos.aspx Calvin Klein talks trends on VOGUE.COM]
[http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160516164651/http://www.infomat.com/whoswho/calvinklein.html Calvin Klein's bio at informat.com]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070901113820/http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/298:130/1/Calvin_Klein.htm The Biography Channel]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20190329025408/http://www.fragrancewholesale.com/somhisandbac4.html Some History and Background on Calvin Klein]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090323163348/http://www.no1-in-beauty.com/Articles/calvin_klein.htm Calvin Klein — a modern fashion icon]
[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20081260,00.html People magazine, January 18,1982. Calvin Klein, King of clothes]
[http://mgross.com/writing/profiles/calvin-klein/ The Latest Calvin by Michael Gross, NY Magazine August 8, 1988]