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Calvin Klein Or "Mr. Clean" Becomes “Mr. Candid”

Samantha Katzman |
October 19, 2011 | 1:02 p.m. PDT

Staff Contributer

Calvin Klein is known for his clean, sophisticated, 

minimalistic fashion that has dominated the industry since he burst onto the scene in 1968. He exemplified the same modest poise in an interview 92nd Street Y on Monday in New York. 

The Calvin Klein name was iconized by such people as Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg, and advertised by countless other celebrities in the nearly 45 years of its existence. Richard Avedon even shot some of the early ads for the line. A pioneer in the fashion industry, it’s no wonder his name has become such a commonplace. 

In the interview with Fern Mallis, a fashion industry veteran, Klein discussed everything from nostalgic memories of high fashion parties to growing up in the Bronx with Ralph Lauren. He humbly discussed his past struggles with addiction, and said he doesn’t believe that it’s the industry that caused his habit. “I don’t think addiction is caused by stress on the job,” he said, according to Vogue Magazine, “it has more to do with childhood issues.” 

He also spoke lovingly about his newest partner, model Nick Gruber, who was in the audience at the venue, thinking back on a recent vacation the couple took. 

When asked about his sale of the line to Phillips-Van Heusen in 2003 for $700 million, Klein joked that he still wore the underwear, and others, to “check out the competition.” He said he has no regrets on selling the company, and is happily retired.

He continued to advise other young designers to “have a vision,” to “be confident,” and to, “keep growing and keep changing, but always remain true to yourself and your vision.”

Reach writer Samantha Katzman here

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