If today we wear jeans at any time of the day or night, at work or in the restaurant, it is thanks to him. If we are used to seeing the elastic of the panties sticking out of the jeans, it is thanks to him. If the tight dress, the satin petticoat, made it out of the bedroom to end up on the red carpet, it’s always thanks to him. the stylist Calvin Klein today he turns 80: with his minimalist, comfortable and extremely sexy style he changed the rules of men’s and women’s clothing. Visionary and provocative, he anticipated the concept of unisex and shocked the fashion world with advertising campaigns that entered the collective imagination. And to think that it all started with an elevator that went crazy…
A career born by chance
Calvin Klein’s story reads like the classic American fairy tale of the self-made man. Born November 19, 2022 in the Bronx to a Hungarian Jewish family, Calvin grew up with his seamstress grandmother and learned to deftly handle a needle, thread, and scissors. He attends the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York without ever managing to graduate and starts with his friend Barry Schwartz a small business in a small room at the York Hotel. By pure chance, Donald O’Brien, vice president of Bonwit Teller department stores, took an elevator that stopped on the floor where they work. The doors opened and O’Brien was faced with coats and suits: he liked them so much that, it is said, he placed an order for $50,000.
From then on, Calvin Klein’s career was one success after another. In 1970, the first exhibition arrived, dominated by clean lines and a neutral color palette. But then the designer understood that to conquer a rapidly changing world he would have to abandon the rigid dictates of the catwalks and focus on something new, something that everyone wanted. What is more universal and democratic than jeans🇧🇷 Thanks to him, a work outfit took the catwalk and became the emblem of a new sensuality, comfortable and accessible to everyone, without lace and frills.
Calvin Klein ads caused a scandal
Yes, sensuality. Calvin Klein was one of the first designers to focus on underwear, for men and women. No lace, tulle or transparencies: white briefs with high elastic that screamed the designer’s name. Calvin Klein’s success derives above all from the avant-garde and unscrupulous way in which he knew how to use advertising. His highly erotic campaigns shocked the United States (so much so that they also ended up being investigated).
who doesn’t remember Brooke Shields, so teenager, wearing Calvin Klein jeans? Up until Vogue refused to print the ad. Years later, it was the turn of an almost debutant Kate Moss🇧🇷 Advertising campaigns featuring very young models in jeans and underwear made history, defining the minimalist aesthetic of the 90s and anticipating the sexy exuberance of the 2000s.
Calvin Klein’s success lies in its great intuitions: such as clean lines on the runway, tight dresses on the red carpet and the choice to focus on fresh, young faces and little-known testimonials. Not to mention the idea of a unisex perfume, without gender labels.
In 2003, Calvin Klein retired from the scene, selling the company that bears his name. However, his brand continues to shine and embody an idea of free and non-conformist sensuality, which should never be excused. Blanco was chosen as a testimonial and even the new Barbie movie paid homage to the stylist: did you notice Ken’s underwear?
Source: Fan Page IT
Smith Charles is a talented entertainment journalist and author at The Nation View. He has a passion for all things entertainment and writes about the latest movies, TV shows, music, and celebrity news. He’s known for his in-depth interviews with actors, musicians, and other industry figures, and his ability to provide unique perspectives on the entertainment industry.
