Kelly Klein: From Calvin Klein’s Muse to Multi-Faceted Artist
Kelly Klein, formerly Kelly Rector, rose to prominence as the wife of fashion designer Calvin Klein during the height of his brand’s success in the 1980s and 90s. Beyond her role as a style icon and muse, Klein has forged her own path as a designer, photographer, interior designer, author, ceramacist, and mother.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Kelly Klein studied fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She initially sought a position at Calvin Klein, but was turned down after her first interview. She began her career as a design assistant at Ralph Lauren before reconnecting with Calvin Klein at Studio 54. Following their meeting, Klein received a call from Calvin Klein offering her a position, beginning her work with the brand in 1981 Vanity Fair.
A Muse and Business Partner
Kelly Klein’s influence extended beyond her personal style. She played a key role in the success of the Calvin Klein brand, notably conceiving the idea of adapting men’s underwear for women. This concept, born from the observation that “there’s something sexy about wearing your boyfriend’s underwear,” became a best-selling product, generating $70 million in revenue in 1984 Vanity Fair.
Marriage and Beyond
Kelly Rector married Calvin Klein in 1986 during a business trip to Rome. The couple remained married until 2006, though they had separated a decade prior Vanity Fair.
Creative Pursuits
Following her time as a central figure in the Calvin Klein brand, Kelly Klein has dedicated herself to a variety of artistic endeavors. She has edited seven photography books, including Pools, launched in 1992, which featured prominent figures of the era. In 2015, she published a retrospective of her own photographic work, many of which had previously appeared in publications like Vogue and Interview Vanity Fair.
Influences and Aesthetic
Klein credits her parents with fostering her artistic sensibility. Her father was a film director, and her mother was an antique dealer who collected art and furniture from the 1950s and 60s. This upbringing surrounded by the arts significantly influenced her modern aesthetic Vanity Fair.
Friendship with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy
Kelly Klein maintained a close friendship with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, who also worked at Calvin Klein and became a 1990s style icon Vanity Fair and Town & Country. She remained a trusted confidant of Calvin Klein even after their marriage ended Town & Country.