Calvin Klein Ltd was founded as a coat shop in the York Hotel in New York City in 1968 by Calvin Klein and his boyhood friend Barry Schwartz.
In 1969 the first Calvin Klein collection, a line of men’s and women’s coats was featured at the New York store of Bonwit Teller, this got the fledgling fashion label some much needed publicity. By 1971, classic blazers, lingerie and sportswear had been added to the growing women’s collection portfolio.
The company grew rapidly with over $100 million annual retail volume by 1977, a lot of this growth was due to licensing for cosmetics, jeans, and menswear. In 1978 the company claimed that 200,000 pairs of their jeans were sold in the first week they were on the market.
Brooke Shields featured in advertising for the company in the early eighties beginning with a 1980 jeans ad, Shields also modeled Klein underwear in a 1984 advertising campaign.
Successful advertising in the 1990′s for men’s underwear featuring pop singer “Marky Mark” Mark Wahlberg, has led to the underpants becoming generally known as “Calvins”.
The company took a bit of a down turn in the early 1990′s and almost faced bankruptcy in 1992 however Klein managed turn things back around and the profits grew throughout the later years of the 90s, largely due to the success of the popular underwear and fragrance lines, as well as the cK sportswear line.
In 2002 the company was acquired by shirt maker Phillips Van Heusen Corp for $400 million in cash, $30 million in stock plus licensing rights and royalties for the next 15 years with an estimated value of at least $200 million.
Browse the Calvin Klein Catalogue at Stylebop.
more from Calvin Klein…
- White 3 Pack Cotton Stretch Trunks by Calvin Klein
 | 35.00
My Wardrobe
Pack of three white cotton stretch trunks by Calvin Klein with branded waistband.  |
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- Bordeaux V-Neck Shift Dress
 | 839.00
Stylebop
Luxurious dress in fine rayon blend Outstanding fine and high quality, comfortable due to stretch content Elegant bordeaux red Classic slim shift cut with elegant soft V-neck, long sleeves sleeves Feminine waist fit and decorative darts at the front Business suitable knee length No-nonsense dress for grown-up women (perfect for the office) - simple, sophisticated and respectable Pair with pumps or booties |
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- Black 3 Pack Cotton Stretch Trunks by Calvin Klein
 | 35.00
My Wardrobe
Pack of three black cotton stretch trunks by Calvin Klein with contrast branded waistband. |
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- White Cotton Button Boxers by Calvin Klein
 | 20.00
My Wardrobe
White button fly boxer brief by Calvin Klein with branded waistband premium microfibre for comfort and body-defining fit. |
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- Black/Anthra Pinstripe Pants
 | 279.00
Stylebop
Luxurious skinny pants in black stretch cotton Slim waistband Zipper closure Moderate hip-rise Ultra-long, slim leg Cool, sophisticated, elegant Tight fit, creates sexy legs, comfortable due to stretch Great basic which pairs with all tops for all occasions Pair with white blouse and black pumps, with colorful chiffon-tops and peep-toes, or with tunic-blouses and thongs |
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- Grey Dominica One Piece Swimsuit by Heidi Klein
 | 180.00
My Wardrobe
Soft grey one piece swimsuit featuring a bandeau style neckline with scalloped frill trim underwired lightly padded cups and detachable shoulder straps. |
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- Black Draped Dress
 | 772.00
Stylebop
Luxurious dress in fine rayon Elegant black Classic shift cut with feminine crew neck and slightly broader straps New: slim top with Toga-style drapes Accentuated waist Sharply figure-hugging cut, knee-length (typical pencil cut) extremely high quality, very comfortable to wear Finally a cool little black dress World class gown for many nice occasions Pair with gladiator booties, pumps or peep-toes |
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- Black Bold Cotton Trunks by Calvin Klein Underwear
 | 25.00
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Black cotton trunks by Calvin Klein with a branded waistband. |
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- Black Jacket
 | 743.00
Stylebop
Luxurious blazer in black wool and cashmere Simple, pure, feminine High round neckline Rounded shoulders Hidden button catch Slightly waist-fitted Short Very noble, a dream-piece for CEOs Ideal with classic, grown-up base pieces |
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- Titan Titanium Santa Barbara Bikini Top by Heidi Klein
 | 135.00
My Wardrobe
Titanium grey underwired halterneck bikini top featuring a silver-tone metallic ring detail to centre front self-tie halterneck fastening and a self-tie fastening at back. Heidi Klein bikini is designed for D-G cup sizes. Model is a standard UK 8 and is wearing a size FR 1. This item runs true to size. |
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