This magnificent survey is the first and only book that Klein has written and compiled himself and is illustrated with era-defining photographs by the most distinguished names in fashion photography, from Irving Penn and Richard Avedon to Bruce Weber, and Patrick Demarchelier—among others. In it, the world’s most iconic models like Christy Turlington and Kate Moss, are captured in images that would define their careers, and remain indelible to the consumer. Accompanied by private insights and behind-the-scenes stories that only he could tell, every image has been chosen by Calvin Klein to narrate his evolution as a designer—from couture to jeans, underwear, and fragrance—all categories in which he redefined what was chic and essential.
This unique book presents a stunning archive of images that reveal his timeless influence as a designer. From founding the company in New York in 1968, he went on to change the face of fashion, bringing his visionary minimalism to the fore and defining looks for generations. Divided by theme, with characteristic simplicity and sophistication, each of the three sections in this volume looks at one singular element of Klein’s approach. In Provocative, we see the most controversial of his campaigns, from Brooke Shields’s infamous teenage portraits to the seductive photography of underwear collections. In Minimalist, we understand the simplicity, refinement, and elegance in every collection. And in the final section, we read in the designer’s own words the insights behind the campaigns and the secrets behind the successes.
