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…
- Midnight Pencil Skirt
 | 173.00
Stylebop
Luxurious skirt in fine rayon blend - classic by Calvin Klein with the famous slimming pencil cut - elegant dark blue - slim and figure hugging cut in knee length - exclusive no-nonsense basic, versatile to combine - outstandingly comfortable due to stretch content - perfect for the office with a blazer and blouse  |
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- Midnight One-Button Jacket
 | 660.00
Stylebop
Luxurious blazer in fine rayon blend - outstanding high quality, nice and comfortable due to stretch content - elegant dark blue - new shape, slim, slightly waist fitted with long slim revers and one button - moderate length - added pockets - modern AND respectable appeal, ideal basic for the office - pair with a chic pencil skirt or matching pants |
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- 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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- Black Cotton Button Boxers by Calvin Klein
 | 20.00
My Wardrobe
Black cotton boxer by Calvin Klein with button fly and branded waistband. |
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- Bordeaux V-Neck Shift Dress
 | 434.00
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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- Grey Cotton Pyjama Pants by Calvin Klein
 | 28.00
My Wardrobe
Light grey washed cotton pyjama pant by Calvin Klein with elasticated waistband. Model is a standard size M and is wearing a size M. |
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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 White and Grey 3 Pack Cotton Stretch Trunks by Calvin
 | 35.00
My Wardrobe
Pack of three cotton stretch trunks by Calvin Klein with branded waistband. One grey one black and one white. |
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- Midnight V-Neck Dress
 | 454.00
Stylebop
Luxurious dress in a very dark rayon blend - outstanding fine and pleasant quality - by new Yorks favorite designer Calvin Klein - slim top with low V-neck in hip wrap optic - extra long sleeves - slim and figure hugging skirt in feminine knee length - elegant and classic - a 6 pounds slimming effect and a sharp waist due to stretch content - new favorite forever - pairs at the office with pumps and a cashmere cardigan - wear with peep toes and an elegant clutch at parties |
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- Midnight One-Button Jacket
 | 330.00
Stylebop
Classic blazer in black rayon blend - simple and reduced, a basic piece for the office - slim short revers - one button - slim, straight and figure hugging cut in a new length - very long slim sleeves - pairs with all office skirts, from pletaed to bell shape to pencil |
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