Calvin Klein Furniture
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.
21st Century and Contemporary American Calvin Klein Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Mother-of-Pearl, Lacquer
21st Century and Contemporary Calvin Klein Furniture
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Upholstery, Walnut
Early 2000s American Mid-Century Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Paper
1950s Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Italian Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Marble
2010s Argentine Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery
Mid-19th Century French Antique Calvin Klein Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica
1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century American American Classical Calvin Klein Furniture
Wood
2010s Calvin Klein Furniture
Copper
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Ceramic
2010s Chinese Calvin Klein Furniture
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Calvin Klein Furniture
Lacquer
1980s American Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Silver Plate
Late 20th Century North American Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Glass
Late 20th Century American Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Glass
1990s American Modern Calvin Klein Furniture
Metal
1980s Hong Kong Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Silver Plate
1980s Hong Kong Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Silver Plate
1980s American Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Glass
1980s American Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Glass
1980s Italian Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Sterling Silver
1980s American Modern Vintage Calvin Klein Furniture
Silver Plate
Calvin Klein furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Creators Similar to Calvin Klein
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The Calvin Klein brand is known for their sensual ads featuring well-known celebrities as well as for producing simple, understated fashions. Among the brand's most popular offerings are fragrances, men's underwear and jeans for men, women and children. Find a range of Calvin Klein apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.