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) |
| Partner(s) | Kevin Baker (2016–present) |
| Children | Marci Klein |
Calvin Richard Klein (born November 19, 1942) is a famous American fashion designer. In 1968, he started his own company. This company later became known as Calvin Klein. Besides clothes, his name is also on many popular items. These include perfumes, watches, and jewellery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Calvin Klein was born on November 19, 1942. His family lived in the Bronx, New York. His parents were Flore and Leo Klein. His father came to New York from a place that is now part of Ukraine.
As a child, Klein went to school in the Bronx. He later earned a diploma from the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. After high school, he studied at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. He took a break but returned to finish his degree.
Calvin Klein's Career in Fashion
Klein started his fashion journey in 1962. He worked as an apprentice at a clothing company. For five years, he designed clothes for other shops in New York City.
Starting His Own Company
In 1968, Klein launched his first company. He started it with his childhood friend, Barry K. Schwartz. Klein told Schwartz he wanted to design "medium priced clothes with a clean look." Schwartz helped him by providing the money needed to start. He also became Klein's business manager.
Klein set up an office in a hotel room. He began designing coats. A buyer from a store called Bonwit Teller liked his designs. This was a big step for his new business.
Rising to Fame
A person named Baron de Gunzburg helped Klein. He introduced him to important people in New York's fashion world. Klein became well-known after he launched his first line of jeans. His first big show at New York Fashion Week was a huge success. People praised his talent and his simple, clean designs.
In 1974, Klein designed special tight-fitting jeans. These jeans were very popular. They sold for $200,000 in just their first week.
In 1998, Klein helped a charity called The Starbright Foundation. He read a story for them to help sick children.
Personal Life
Calvin Klein supports the U.S. Democratic Party. He has given money to help candidates and groups since 1980.
Family and Relationships
Klein married Jayne Centre, a textile designer, in 1964. They went to the same high school but met later in college. They have a daughter named Marci Klein. Marci is a television producer. She is known for her work on shows like Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Calvin and Jayne divorced in 1974.
In 1986, Klein married his assistant, Kelly Rector. They got married in Rome, Italy. Kelly later became a famous photographer. They separated in 1996 and divorced in 2006.
Since 2016, Klein has been dating Kevin Baker.
Homes of Calvin Klein
For many years, Klein owned a home in Fire Island Pines, New York. This is a place on Fire Island. He hosted friends there, including artist Andy Warhol. Even though he sold the house in 1995, it is still called "The Calvin Klein House."
In 2003, Klein bought a large property in Southampton, New York. He built a modern glass-and-concrete house there. In 2015, he sold his home in Miami Beach, Florida. In June 2015, Klein bought a new house in Los Angeles, California.
Awards and Honors
Calvin Klein has received many awards for his designs.
- In 1974, he was the first designer to win an award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). This award was for both men's and women's wear.
- In 1983, he was added to the International Best Dressed List.
- He also received CFDA awards in 1981, 1983, and 1993.
- In 1991, he received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- In 2003, the Fashion Institute of Technology gave him an honorary doctorate degree.
Calvin Klein in Pop Culture
Calvin Klein has appeared in TV shows. He had a small role in an episode of 30 Rock called "The Bubble". A made-up version of him also appeared in an episode of Seinfeld called "The Pick".
His name was also used in the 1985 movie Back to the Future. A character named Marty McFly travels back in time. A woman in the 1950s sees "Calvin Klein" on his underwear. She thinks that's his name.
See also
In Spanish: Calvin Klein (diseñador) para niños
- High culture
- Jews in New York City
