Extraordinary 1970's Embroidered Maxi Vest By Calvin Klein
View Similar Items
Extraordinary 1970's Embroidered Maxi Vest By Calvin Klein
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Height: 49 in (124.46 cm)Length: 49 in (124.46 cm)Bust: 36.5 in (92.71 cm)Waist: 26 in (66.04 cm)Hip: 36.5 in (92.71 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 49 in (124.46 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:University City, MO
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU736658042
Calvin Klein
Known for his minimalist, comfortable womenswear as well as a range of sexually provocative ad campaigns that continue to generate conversation decades later, Calvin Klein initially experienced the garment industry as a child in his grandmother’s New York City tailoring business. He would one day establish a global fashion brand — the Bronx native led the designer jeans craze of the late 1970s, and vintage Calvin Klein skirts, jackets, day dresses and shirts, frequently created in soft fabrics and understated neutral hues, are still versatile components of everyday wear.
Klein was born in 1942. He joined his mother on trips to designer discount store Loehmann’s and visited his grandmother's seamstress shop, where he was able to witness the particulars of clothing design in his youth. As a teen, Klein started making fashion sketches and attended the High School of Art and Design and the Art Students League of New York. He graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1963.
Klein worked with coat manufacturer Dan Millstein after his studies had concluded. In 1968, he partnered with his childhood friend, Barry Schwartz, and opened a small coat and dress shop in the York Hotel in Manhattan. Schwartz ran the business side of things while Klein took the reins on creative direction. The designer’s work was soon stocked at Bonwit Teller — and appeared in large ads in the New York Times — and in 1969, a model sported a Calvin Klein coat on the cover of Vogue.
During the 1970s, Klein added sportswear, lingerie, blazers and a range of stylish accessories to his lines of apparel. He became the youngest-ever recipient of the Coty American Fashion Critics' Award in 1973, winning again in both of the subsequent two years.
Klein’s debut of his now-revered blue jeans in 1976 was somewhat of a failure — they were too expensive, and buyers complained about the fit. Late one night at Studio 54, the designer heard about the benefits that a licensing deal with apparel manufacturer Puritan Fashions might bring him. Two years later, Klein inked that deal and sold 200,000 pairs of his jeans, which were produced by Puritan, in a week.
A large percentage of Puritan’s sales in 1978 owed to Klein’s blue jeans. This streak with denim carried on into the 1980s, when Klein would be competing with the likes of Jordache, Gloria Vanderbilt and other labels. Klein’s jeans were promoted in scandalous ads featuring Brooke Shields and others that were banned by television stations and challenged by politicians. The decade saw the debut of successful men's and women's underwear collections designed by Klein that were also the subjects of steamy marketing campaigns. Soon, Calvin Klein expanded to 12,000 American stores and retail locations in six other countries.
Though profits declined in the early 1990s, Klein saved the business with successful underwear, sportswear and fragrance lines. More controversial ad campaigns with up-and-coming models and celebrities like Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg followed, also bringing fresh attention to the brand. In 2002, the Calvin Klein company was sold to Phillips Van Heusen Corp. Belgian designer Raf Simons was named chief creative officer at the brand in 2016.
On 1stDibs, find vintage Calvin Klein clothing, accessories and handbags.
- Christian Lacroix Paris Brown Suede Snakeskin Trim Zippered JacketBy Christian Lacroix ParisLocated in University City, MOChristian Lacroix Paris Brown suede snakeskin trim zippered jacket. c 21st Size 40 The edgy avant-garde zippered jacket is constructed with plush dark brown soft suede that has a ty...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Jackets
$575 Sale Price34% Off - Salvatore Ferragamo Italian Chocolate Brown Leather Unisex Jacket circa 21st CBy Salvatore FerragamoLocated in University City, MOSalvatore Ferragamo Italian chocolate brown unisex leather zippered jacket The dark brown lightweight Italian leather jacket is buttery soft with a zipper that runs down the center....Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
$250 Sale Price47% Off - Liliane Romi Couture Paris Black Boucle Wool Jacket c 1990sLocated in University City, MOLiliane Romi Couture Paris black boucle wool jacket The stylish designer jacket is adorned with three massive gilt metal buttons that run down the fron...Category
1990s French Blazers
$275 Sale Price21% Off - Exquisite Silver Glass Beaded Sheer Vest c 1970sLocated in University City, MOExquisite silver glass beaded sheer vest c 1970s The elegant sheer black vest is embellished with sinuous trails of silver glass bugle beads Framed with wide rows of contiguous si...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Vests
- Mirella Cavorso Italian Black Silk Beaded Tuxedo Style Evening JacketLocated in University City, MOMirella Cavorso Italian silk black beaded tuxedo style evening jacket The elegant jacket is embellished with glass bugle beads combined with tiny seq...Category
1990s Italian Tuxedo Jackets
- Silk Glass Beaded Sequined Evening Jacket for Saks Fifth Avenue c 1980sLocated in University City, MOExquisite silk glass beaded sequined evening jacket c 1980s The elegant silk evening jacket is encrusted with a combination of contiguous glittering glass bugle beads and iridescent sequins throughout The three dimensional flowers are clusters of glass bugle beads in various colors. Framed with a row of black glass bugle beads Secures at the neckline with a single hook closure to partially reveal the garment underneath Designed b Gunit New York Saks...Category
1980s Indian Jackets
$225 Sale Price34% Off
- Sexy German Christine Vogdt 1970s Lynx Fur Stroller Length Coat US Size 8 MediumLocated in Tustin, CAWild and exotic, this vintage, spotted lynx fur coat or jacket from the 1970s, in excellent condition, makes a bold fashion statement from internationally renowned German fashion designer/artist, Christine Vogdt...Category
1970s German Jackets
$3,920 Sale Price20% Off - S/S 1989 Thierry Mugler Runway Sculptural Black Pointed Cutout JacketBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Concord, NCAn extravagant jacket by Thierry Mugler from the Spring Summer 1989 "Les Atlantes" collection. This documented black jacket features a unique cutout pointed edge design. The jacket f...Category
1980s French Jackets
- S/S 1992 Thierry Mugler Black Runway Jacket Dramatic White CollarBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Concord, NCIncredible rare Thierry Mugler black jacket with a dramatic pointed white collar and matching white cuffs from the Spring Summer 1992 collection and as seen on the runway. Made in Fr...Category
1990s French Jackets
- Christian Dior Womens Vest Navy 38 FRBy Christian DiorLocated in DOUBLE BAY, NSWBrand: Christian Dior Product: Vest Size: 38 Fr Colour: Navy Material: Wool 85% & Silk 15% Condition: Pristine; New Or Never Worn Details: - Double Breasted Closure - 2...Category
2010s Vests
- TOM FORD nude pink LEATHER CROPPED Jacket SBy Tom FordLocated in Zürich, CHTom Ford cropped jacket in nude nappa leather with heavy signature gold-tone metal zipper. Raglan sleeves with bow detail at bottom. Unlined. Has been worn once and is in excellent c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- MARNI black SHEARLING Short Sleeve Jacket 38 XSBy MarniLocated in Zürich, CHauthentic Marni short sleeve shearling jacket in black lamb leather (100%). Closes with two concealed hooks on the front and has slit pockets. Has been worn and is in excellent condi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets