Calvin Klein jeans and brand history

Design studio Calvin Klein is renowned for its unisex clothing. Unisex clothing is clothing that suits both men and women equally. Such clothing removes all the differences between a man and a woman, making them absolutely equal, the same. And the first mass "asexual" clothing can be called jeans. Jeans became popular in the West in the 1960s, and it was from this period that the unisex style of clothing began to develop. And, probably, it is no coincidence that one of the first to release designer jeans Calvin Klein will start with their corporate logo.

Jeans by Calvin Klein

In addition to jeans, shirts, trousers, pullovers, sweaters, jackets and jeans can also be attributed to classic unisex clothes.

Calvin Klein was founded in 1968 in New York. It was founded by Calvin Klein and his childhood friend Barry Schwartz.

Calvin Klein was born on November 19, 1942 in the Bronx, New York to a Jewish family. His father was in business. At 18, he enters the Graduate School of the Arts, and then another two years at the New York Fashion Institute of Technology. By the age of twenty, he began working as a contracted fashion designer. In this work, he figured out a lot, especially in terms of the concept that fashion is a business that, like any other, lives according to certain laws, and sometimes harsh.

After completing his studies until 1968, Kelvin worked in various fashion houses in New York, and sometimes moonlighted as a street artist. To make a living, he worked in an atelier that, according to him, did a complete bad taste: bright yellow, orange suits with a dyed fox, which was a pale copy of what was seen on the catwalks. Once he saw a lady on the street in such a suit - the suit was yellow, with a yellow fox, shoes and a yellow hat. Calvin Klein was horrified that he was taking part in the production of such a "masterpiece".

Then he decided, in parallel with his main work, to develop his models - in three months he sewed six coats and three dresses. His arbitrariness became known, and the contract with him was terminated. To his surprise, the whole family, especially his father, supported and advised him to continue to pursue fashion, despite the fact that the day before Kelvin received a tempting offer to go into the trade business. In 1968 he will open his own design firm, which will initially design men's outerwear. In the same 1968, together with his friend Barry Schwartz, he began to create a collection of coats for women.

Looks from various Calvin Klein collections

Thanks to his design skills, great hard work and business sense, he manages to get several contracts for the manufacture of clothes. Kelvin himself delivered things to department stores. As the designer himself later recalled, his coats were not unique, but after looking closely at what was offered to women, he decided to make coat styles that looked very fresh. He is one of the first fashion designers who started sewing especially for young people. And already in 1969, his coat appeared on the cover of Vogue. A year later, his short coat - a pea jacket - became the hit of the year.

Then he offers women a trouser suit - a female version of a male suit. Initially dealing with outerwear for men, Calvin Klein soon began to produce clothing for women. In the 70s, he released his "beige collection", where everything was kept in one key: coats, jackets, trousers, skirts, blouses, sweaters. So the idea of ​​a basic wardrobe was created, in which a woman could change things for any occasion. This collection will include his evening dresses a little later. What is the success of his collections? - In line, shape, simplicity of silhouette, quality of cut and sewing, in everything that can be called - simplicity and elegance.

The designer tries to work only with natural fabrics: wool, leather, suede, silk, cotton, linen, cashmere ... The palette of his models includes the entire spectrum, but more preferred ones are muted. Calvin Klein offers chic collections for women, taking into account the modern life, in which the speed of changing circumstances. Therefore, "... women need multifunctional clothes ...". After all, a modern woman has to do a lot during the day: "... and tinker with the children, and work in the office, and go somewhere in the evening ...".

This approach of Calvin Klein to the modern woman's wardrobe, "... whose style is based on elegant simplicity ..." resonated in the soul of each of us. Calvin Klein strives to create clothes that are comfortable and chic at the same time. He monitors changes in social and cultural life. And this helps him to always be needed and in demand. When many began to pay attention to a healthy lifestyle - doing fitness, swimming, bodybuilding and other sports, he opened a sports line, and this was in the 80s.

Lingerie by Calvin Klein

He released his first designer jeans in 1978. In 1982, Calvin Klein launched a collection of men's underwear, then he also dabbled in underwear for children and adolescents. Calvin Klein captured the time when they began to get carried away with Eastern spiritual practice - and developed models with kimono elements. His models are so in demand and understandable to many because he can capture the spirit of the times, predict the desires and mood of the public. And therefore, his advertising does not need translation.

In his personal life, he had both the happiest days and big problems. In 1964, Calvin Klein marries for the first time, he will have a daughter. But after ten years, he divorced his first wife. The second time he will marry his own assistant, Kelly Rector, they will separate in 2006. He always speaks with love about his parents, who supported him in the most difficult moments of his life - when he divorced his wife, saved his little daughter from kidnappers, was treated for alcoholism and drug addiction.

The very personality of Calvin Klein is quite scandalous. Many of his advertising campaigns were received with hostility by the public. This is how his advertising poster, which depicts "The Last Supper", is known, while the models depicting the apostles are half-naked, they are dressed only in jeans. This poster was very negatively received by the church. There were other scandals related to advertising as well.

Today Calvin Klein, Ltd is owned by PVH Corp, chaired by Emanuel Chirico.

Calvin Klein cosmetics

Calvin Klein is famous for its cosmetics and perfumery. Their first fragrance was released in 1981. They have developed fragrances that have both male and female variants, for example, Eternity in 1983 or Otduchina in 1986. Today, the rights to manufacture Calvin Klein perfumes are owned by Coty Corporation.

As for Calvin Klein himself, he has three Coty Awards and has received four American Fashion Awards, the US national fashion award. His talent in the fashion world is beyond doubt. More than once Calvin Klein was recognized as the best designer in America.

Show business stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman, Winona Ryder and many others preferred and still prefer Calvin Klein clothes. Thanks to Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Donna Karan, American fashion has risen to the highest level of the fashion industry.