After a riveting talk at the 92nd Street Y that covered everything from Calvin Klein's initial successes to selling the company for $700 million to Phillips-Van Heusen, the famously reclusive designer is reportedly stepping into the spotlight again this fall to deliver the keynote at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund gala, according to WWD.
Since the Fashion Fund's inception, the program has injected serious funds -- $300,000 for the winner, and $100,000 for two runners-up -- into the businesses of promising up-and-coming labels from Billy Reid to Sophie Theallet. This year's nominees include buzz-worthy labels like Altuzarra, Suno, and Pamela Love.
Since selling his company, Klein has been mostly absent from the public eye, and even admitted that he doesn't follow his namesake brand (in which he still has a stake) all that closely. It was "best for me to let go and move on," he said at the 92nd Street Y discussion.
The awards, scheduled for November 14, will give the designer ample room to offer up hard-won advice on the industry and how to achieve long-term success.
