<p>Calvin Klein&#39;s unwavering vision of minimal designs and wearable urban styles are part of what make him an icon: his widely recognized marketing genius is also part of the package.</p><p>Calvin Klein started out as a coat company and then moved to sportswear. Back in the late &#39;70s, Klein launched a designer jeans line, which not only broke down price barriers by offering a lower-priced line but spawned sexy, controversial ads featuring teenage model Brooke Shields (and, later, actor Mark Wahlberg).</p><p>Klein has also left his mark with some industry firsts, including making utilitarian men&#39;s underwear sexy and the first unisex fragrance, CK One. An influence to many of the minimal-chic designers of the late 20th century, including Miuccia Prada and Donna Karan, Calvin Klein remains one of the most recognizable designer names in the world.</p><blockquote><p><em>I&#39;ve always had a clear design philosophy and point of view about being modern, sophisticated, sexy, clean and minimal. They all apply to my design aesthetic</em>. -- Calvin Klein in <em>Women&#39;s Wear Daily</em>.</p></blockquote><h3>How to Achieve the Signature Calvin Klein Style</h3><p>Calvin Klein is all about modern, practical fashion with an elegant touch. Here&#39;s how to translate the runway looks for yourself:</p><ul><li>Think urban uniform—leather skirt, turtleneck, tights and pumps or boots. Mix and match colors and fabrics, but this is an easy, work-ready look that looks good on everyone.</li><li>Choose long, lean lines in whatever you wear—from knee-length skirts to narrow, cropped pants worn with boots.</li><li>Add in standout pieces in a reptile print like alligator or snake (or leather stamped to make mock crock) jackets, pants, skirts. Try boots or bags for smaller doses.</li><li>Skip the jewels—less is more when it comes to the Calvin Klein look.</li><li>Find styles in muted and deep tones like gray, ruby red, nude and black.</li><li>Choose lots of leather; wear a trim jacket in the place of a blazer, not just as outerwear.</li><li>Opt for styles that frame the face through structure rather than ornamentation. Think deep V necklines, turtlenecks, and buttoned-to-the-top jackets.</li><li>Try a maxi coat for the perfect dramatic complement to spare, unfussy styles.</li></ul>