Known as “Calvin the Conqueror” and one of Time’s 25 Most Influential People in America, Calvin Richard Klein was born in 1942 in Bronx, New York. Calvin Klein attended the New York High School of Art and Design as well as the Fashion Institute of Technology.  He then worked as an apprentice in the garment district.

In 1968 Calvin Klein used his savings of $2,000 plus a loan from his childhood friend, Barry Schwartz, to found his own company, Calvin Klein Inc., with Schwartz as his partner. Within ten years they turned the company into a $100 million empire.

Calvin Klein introduced American leisurewear and minimalism to the design industry. He became famous for his underwear line, his line of perfumes and for the “The Calvin Klein Look.”

Calvin Klein became the youngest person to receive the Coty Award in 1973. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his inventive contributions to fashion.  Calvin Klein sold the company to Phillips-Van-Heusen for almost $730 million in 2003.

Francisco Costa joined the Calvin Klein design group in 2001 as Women’s Creative Director of the Calvin Klein collection.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – JANUARY 12: 71st ANNUAL GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS — Pictured: Actress Lupita Nyong’o arrives to the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 12, 2014 — (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/NBC/NBC via Getty Images)

Golden Globe gown designed by Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein

Raf Simons is the current designer at Calvin Klein.

Raf Simons on the runway