The House of Klein : Fashion, Controversy, and a Business Obsession

A fashion world insider and journalist reveals the secret world of Calvin Klein The House of Klein for the first time tells the inside story of the rise of a fashion legend and the mammoth empire he built. Calvin Klein is the world's most well-known (and successful) fashion designer and has created one of the most recognizable brands in existence, but the tale of his ascendancy to the top of the fashion industry has never been fully told. The House of Klein is the warts-and-all exposé of a boy from the Bronx who made his name synonymous with high fashion by making his brand synonymous with sex. This book offers an informed, insider's account of the defining moments of a fashion legend's life, a life circumscribed by personal and professional struggle. Fashion writer Lisa Marsh pulls no punches in presenting the true story of this mammoth of the clothing industry, complete with corporate battles, lawsuits, petty personal vendettas and backroom dealings. Marsh reveals the underbelly of the glittering world of high fashion-a world characterized not so much by beautiful people and wild parties, as it is by money and power, above all else. The House of Klein brings to life this compelling figure through the author's own research and interviews with the man himself, as well as with other figures in the industry-such as Isaac Mizrahi-who finally come clean about the man behind the brand. Lisa Marsh (New York, NY) focused on the bottom line instead of the hemline while working at the New York Post covering the fashion and retail beat. A veteran of the fashion industry, she began her career in journalism writing financial news stories for the fashion industry bible Women's Wear Daily. A fashion world insider and journalist reveals the secret world of Calvin KleinThe House of Klein for the first time tells the inside story of the rise of a fashion legend and the mammoth empire he built. Calvin Klein is the world's most well-known (and successful) fashion designer and has created one of the most recognizable brands in existence, but the tale of his ascendancy to the top of the fashion industry has never been fully told. The House of Klein is the warts-and-all expose of a boy from the Bronx who made his name synonymous with high fashion by making his brand synonymous with sex. This book offers an informed, insider's account of the defining moments of a fashion legend's life, a life circumscribed by personal and professional struggle. Fashion writer Lisa Marsh pulls no punches in presenting the true story of this mammoth of the clothing industry, complete with corporate battles, lawsuits, petty personal vendettas and backroom dealings. Marsh reveals the underbelly of the glittering world of high fashion-a world characterized not so much by beautiful people and wild parties, as it is by money and power, above all else. The House of Klein brings to life this compelling figure through the author's own research and interviews with the man himself, as well as with other figures in the industry-such as Isaac Mizrahi-who finally come clean about the man behind the brand.Lisa Marsh (New York, NY) focused on the bottom line instead of the hemline while working at the New York Post covering the fashion and retail beat. A veteran of the fashion industry, she began her career in journalism writing financial news stories for the fashion industry bible Women's Wear Daily. "In The House of Klein, fashion writer and industry insider Lisa Marsh offers a warts-and-all expose of the kid from the Bronx who rose from copy boy at Women's Wear Daily to the head of a $3 billion corporation built on the power of sex. First grabbing attention in the 1970s, Klein revolutionized the industry by offering designer jeans at affordable prices. But it was his advertisements, more than his designs, which would land him on the front page." "Attacked from all sides - by conservative pro-family groups and feminist organizations, among many others - Klein continued to question American taste and morality. But his success eventually led to scrutiny of his personal life, and rumors sprung up about his sexuality, as well as alcoholism and his petty personal vendettas. Marsh uncovers the truth and the fiction behind these claims, revealing Klein as a more complicated figure than both his detractors and supporters would have us believe." "Much like the affecting yet disturbing images associated with his brand, Klein is a contradictory figure capable of both warm charm and icy wrath. As a businessman, he is either a calculated genius or a lucky bumbler whose company succeeds despite his meddling. Above all, he is an entrepreneur who knows that sex sells. The House of Klein presents a revealing portrait of the man behind the brand - an inscrutable giant of the fashion industry who influence continues to shape the American cultural landscape."--Jacket The House of Klein......Page 4 Contents......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 Prologue......Page 12 CHAPTER 1 From the Bronx......Page 20 CHAPTER 2 Working......Page 28 CHAPTER 3 Early Years and Jeans......Page 40 CHAPTER 4 Booming Boxers and Briefs......Page 58 CHAPTER 5 The Cost of Business......Page 64 CHAPTER 6 Obsession......Page 70 CHAPTER 7 Calvin’s Kelly Girl......Page 84 CHAPTER 8 Unraveling......Page 94 CHAPTER 9 What Is Calvin Klein?......Page 102 CHAPTER 10 Fast, Furious, and Forte......Page 118 CHAPTER 11 Controversial cK......Page 134 CHAPTER 12 The Trouble with Linda......Page 150 CHAPTER 13 On the Block......Page 162 CHAPTER 14 The War with Wachner......Page 172 CHAPTER 15 Streamlining for Success......Page 182 CHAPTER 16 Phillips-Van Who?......Page 188 CHAPTER 17 Tomorrow......Page 196 Epilogue......Page 204 Notes......Page 208 Bibliography......Page 228 Index......Page 232 A fashion world insider and journalist reveals the secret world of Calvin Klein. The House of Klein for the first time tells the inside story of the rise of a fashion legend and the mammoth empire he built. Calvin Klein is the world's most well-known (and successful) fashion designer and has created one of the most recognizable brands in existence, but the tale of his ascendancy to the top of the fashion industry has never been fully told. The House of Klein is the warts-and-all exposé of a boy from the Bronx who made his name synonymous with high fashion by making his brand synonymous with s The Mosholu Parkway section or the Bronx was a melting pot of cultures, including immigrants from eastern Europe and Ireland, along with some Italians. Follows Calvin Klein and the success of his fashion empire from the 1970s to the present, discussing trends, campaigns, and the entrepreneur himself.