Great Fashion designer. Born November 19, 1942, in the Bronx, New York, Kleinwas raised in the borough's Mosholu Parkway sectionÑa middle-classJewish community of first and second-generation immigrants. As ateenager, he developed a passion for fashion and drawing, oftenspending hours on end sketching women in suits and dresses. Followinghis graduation from the High School of Art and Design, Klein studiedapparel design at Manhattan's preeminent Fashion Institute ofTechnology, where he met fellow student Jayne Centre. The two marriedin 1964, two years after Klein completed his course work.

Inspiredby the fresh and unpretentious style of New York's urban youth, Kleinset out to launch his own clothing company in 1968. With financialbacking from his childhood friend Barry Schwartz, he commissioned alocal seamstress to make a handful of coats and dresses. A merchandisemanager from Bonwit Teller visited Klein's dingy showroom and tooknotice of the collection. Within weeks, the chic department storepurchased $50,000 worth of merchandise and displayed the samples ineight of their coveted windows. Shortly after his auspicious debut,Klein created a line of designer sportswear.

Throughoutthe fashion industry, word spread quickly about Klein and his sleekdesigns, which were now featured regularly in Vogue and Harper'sBazaar. In the early 1970s, he introduced his trademark jeans, which heelevated to designer status by cutting them tight and branding his nameon the back pocket. A series of provocative advertisements (that had15-year-old Brooke Shields cooing the line, "Nothing comes between meand my Calvins.") created a designer jean frenzy among consumers, whowere purchasing over 40,000 pairs a week.

In 1982, by addingstyle and his logo to boxers and briefs, Klein conquered the underwearmarket. He blurred the boundaries between the sexes, designingmasculine bikinis for women. In the late 1980s, Klein entered thefragrance market with the launch of Obsession and Eternity.

TheCalvin Klein label expanded over time to include swimwear, accessories,hosiery, and eyewear. In the early 1990s, he started to manufacture amore affordable line of casual apparel and accessories under the brandname CK. With his trademark minimalist designs, Klein penetrated thehome decor market, where accessories ranging from bath towels tobedding linens bear his name. His most recent endeavor was Calvin KleinCosmeticsÑa makeup line sold exclusively in fine department stores. Todate, Calvin Klein Incorporated exceeds $6 billion in annual sales.

Throughouthis career, Klein has come under criticism for his ubiquitous andcontroversial ad campaigns, most notably those that featured Kate Moss,Mark Wahlberg, and Antonio Sabato Jr. In 1995, he rousedantipornography advocates with a series of commercials that featuredadolescents in sexually evocative poses. Klein pulled the ads afterbeing denounced by President Bill Clinton and the Catholic League.

Widelyconsidered the most prominent American fashion designer, Klein wasfirst awarded the Council of Fashion Designers of America Award foroutstanding design in both womenswear and menswear in 1982, becomingthe first designer ever to receive both honors in the same year.

Kleinhas received many accolades for his work and contribution to fashion:he won the Coty Award in 1973, 1974 and 1975 (making him the youngestdesigner to win these awards), and was awarded the Council of FashionDesigners of America Award for design in women and menswear in 1982,1983, and 1986 (making history as the first designer to receive bothawards in the same year), as well as the CDFA in 1993 for both womenand menswear, and the America's Best Designer of 1993 Award.

Amember of numerous committees, such as the Council of Fashion Designersof America, Klein is the designer of choice for celebrities such asJulia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow and Helen Hunt, and has influenceddesigners such as Miuccia Prada and Donna Karan.

Beforedivorcing in 1974, Klein and Centre had a daughter, Marci. In 1986,Klein married socialite Kelly Rector; they have since divorced.

Thefirm was founded in 1968 by Barry Schwartz and Calvin Klein, who wereits sole owners until clothing maker Phillips-Van Heusen bought thecompany in 2003.