Calvin Klein Biography

Calvin Klein (born November 19, 1942, The Bronx, New York City, United States as Richard Klein), is a well-known fashion designer. His name is also a brand name of clothing marketed by his clothing company, which was launched in 1968.
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Calvin Klein was raised in the Jewish immigrant community in the Bronx, New York. Calvin Klein was a protegé of Baron de Gunzburg through whose introductions he became the toast of the New York elite fashion scene before he had his first mainstream success with the launch of his first jeans line. Calvin Klein was immediately recognised 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 and strait cuts on coats and suits.

Speaking in an interview with Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol for Interview magazine, published not long after the Baron's death Klein said:—

"He was truly the greatest inspiration of my life... he was my mentor, I was his protegé..If you talk about a person with style and true elegance-- maybe I'm being a snob, but I'll tell you, there was no one like him. I used to think, boy, did he put me through hell sometimes, but boy, was I lucky. I was so lucky to have known him so well for so long."
The Calvin Klein company, like many in the fashion industry, is known for its eye-catching advertising. It is noted by many conservative organizations for its use of seemingly-underage models in pseudo-provocative poses.

In addition to clothing, Calvin Klein also gave his name to a range of perfumes, including CK One and CK Be (fragrances for everyone, regardless of gender), now owned by "Coty Inc.". Swatch manufactures watches under the Calvin Klein brand (which it owns).

Klein was the victim of a pieing in 2001 at a fashion premier at New York's Lincoln Center.

CALVIN KLEIN PICTURES

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CALVIN KLEIN BIOGRAPHY