Calvin Klein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calvin Klein
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Klein in 2011
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| Born |
Calvin Richard Klein
November 19, 1942 New York City, U.S.
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| Education | Fashion Institute of Technology |
| Occupation | Fashion designer |
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Label(s)
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Calvin Klein Inc. |
| Spouse(s) |
Jayne Centre
(m. 1965; div. 1974)Kelly Rector
(m. 1986; div. 2006) |
Calvin Richard Klein, born on November 19, 1942, is a famous American fashion designer. He started his own company, Calvin Klein Inc., in 1968. Besides clothes, his name is also on popular perfumes, watches, and jewellery.
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Calvin Klein's Early Life and Career
Calvin Klein was born in the Bronx, New York City, on November 19, 1942. His parents were Flore and Leo Klein. His father, Leo, came from a place now in Ukraine. His mother, Flore, was born in the U.S. to immigrant parents.
As a child, Klein went to Isobel Rooney Middle School 80. He later attended the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. He also studied at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). He received an honorary degree from FIT in 2003.
In 1962, he started working as an apprentice at a clothing company. He spent five years designing for other shops in New York City. In 1968, he launched his first company with his childhood friend, Barry K. Schwartz.
How Calvin Klein Became Famous
An important person named Baron de Gunzburg helped introduce Klein to the fashion world. Soon after, Klein launched his first line of jeans. He quickly became known for his talent after his first big show at New York Fashion Week. People saw him as a very talented new designer. He was praised for his simple and clean clothing designs.
In 1974, Klein designed his famous tight-fitting jeans. These jeans were very popular and sold for $200,000 in their first week.
In 1998, Klein took part in a special reading of "The Emperor's New Clothes." This event helped raise money for sick children through The Starbright Foundation.
Calvin Klein's Personal Life
Calvin Klein supports the Democratic Party in the U.S.
Relationships and Family
Calvin Klein has been married twice. He first married Jayne Centre, a textile designer, in 1964. They had a daughter named Marci Klein, who became a TV producer. She is known for her work on shows like Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Calvin and Jayne divorced in 1974.
Later, in September 1986, he married his assistant, Kelly Rector, in Rome. She later became a well-known photographer. They separated in 1996 and divorced in 2006.
Calvin Klein's Homes
For many years, Klein owned a home in Fire Island Pines, New York. He hosted friends there, including artist Andy Warhol and Studio 54 owner Steve Rubell. Even though he sold the house in 1995, it is still known as "The Calvin Klein House."
In 2003, Klein bought a large property by the ocean in Southampton, New York. He built a modern glass-and-concrete mansion there. In 2015, he sold his mansion in Miami Beach, Florida. In June 2015, Klein also bought a mansion in Los Angeles, California.
Awards and Recognition
Calvin Klein has received many awards for his designs. In 1974, he was the first designer to win an award for both men's and women's wear from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). He also received CFDA awards in 1981, 1983, and 1993. In 1983, he was added to the International Best Dressed List. In 1991, he received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
Calvin Klein in Pop Culture
Calvin Klein has appeared in popular TV shows and movies. He made a short appearance in the TV series 30 Rock (season 3, episode 15, "The Bubble"). A made-up version of him also appeared in Seinfeld (season 4, episode 12, "The Pick").
His name was also used by the character Marty McFly in the 1985 movie Back to the Future. This happened after a woman saw Marty's underwear and thought his name was Calvin Klein.
See also
In Spanish: Calvin Klein (diseñador) para niños
- High culture
- Jews in New York City
- LGBT culture in New York City
- List of LGBT people from New York City
Images for kids
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Klein in 2011
