Calvin Klein: The Story -

Calvin Klein founded his namesake brand in 1968 in New York City with his business partner Barry Schwartz.
Initially, the brand focused on coats and dresses, but it quickly expanded into minimalist, modern fashion.
In 1973, Klein won the Cotton Design Award, marking the rise of his brand in the fashion industry.

In 1978, Klein launched his denim collection, introducing designer jeans with his signature logo on the back pocket.
The provocative Brooke Shields campaign (1980) with the tagline, “Nothing comes between me and my Calvins,” became a major success.
This period saw Calvin Klein becoming a household name, influencing the sexy, minimalist aesthetic that defined the brand.

In 1982, Klein revolutionized men’s underwear, branding it like designer fashion rather than just a basic necessity.
The Calvin Klein underwear ads, especially those featuring Mark Wahlberg in the 1990s, became iconic.
The fragrance division launched in 1985, with perfumes like Obsession, Eternity, and Escape becoming global bestsellers.
The unisex fragrance “CK One” (1994) was a cultural phenomenon, representing the gender-neutral fashion movement.

The brand became known for its clean, simple, and sensual designs, influencing the ’90s minimalism trend.
Celebrities like Kate Moss and ads featuring sexuality and youth culture further cemented its edgy reputation.
By the early 2000s, Calvin Klein was a global powerhouse, expanding into jeans, underwear, fragrances, accessories, and home décor.

In 2003, Calvin Klein was acquired by PVH Corp. for $400 million.
The brand continued its sexy, provocative advertising, featuring stars like Justin Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and Shawn Mendes.
Under Raf Simons (2016–2018), Calvin Klein experimented with high fashion, but later returned to its commercial roots.
Today, Calvin Klein remains a global leader in modern, minimal fashion, with a strong focus on underwear, denim, and fragrances.

Calvin Klein redefined American fashion with effortless, sexy minimalism.
The brand’s bold marketing and iconic logo branding shaped modern fashion advertising.
It remains one of the most recognizable fashion brands worldwide, symbolizing youth, sensuality, and simplicity.