Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein has forged a reputation as perhaps America's most iconic fashion designer with his style of classic minimalism mainly in neutral tones creating a trademark all-American look. Born in New York's Bronx district in 1942 he took an early interest in fashion, sketching and sewing as a child before beginning his formal design education at the city's Fashion Institute of Technology in 1959. After graduating he served a five-year apprenticeship at traditional cloak and suit manufacturers before setting out with friend Barry Schwartz to establish what has become a style empire. The early days were tough however, and the young designer came close to bankruptcy before one of his collections of women's coats was picked up by department store Bonwit Teller and became an instant success that set him on the road to fame and fortune. As much a marketing genius as a fashion stylist, Klein has always been acutely aware of consumer trends and the power of arresting brand communication. The 1970s launch of his Calvin Klein jeans using a teenage Brooke Shields in provocative imagery created the entire designer jeans phenomenon.