Because of COVID-19, I’ve limited my travel. This time last year, I was in Portugal. Nevertheless, My daughter Channing received an appointment invitation from the CFDA, including a plus one. To do what? She and I viewed the PVH Archives with acclaimed menswear designer Jeffrey Banks.
There was much to unpack from this exciting outing, starting with all the acronyms. First, we drove, and I used the Best Parking App to reserve parking. Then, we walked to our destination. I must say, everyone we encountered wore masks.
So the Council of Fashion Designers of America, also known as CFDA, was founded in 1962 by publicist Eleanor Lambert. In case you didn’t know, in addition to CFDA, Lambert’s claim to fame is founder of New York Fashion Week, the Met Gala, and the International Best Dress List.
According to an online source, the CFDA promotes American designers in the global economy. Besides hosting the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards, the non-profit organization develops future United States design talent through schools’ scholarships and resources.
Now, PVH. According to their brochure, The PVH Archives is a physical and digital resource. It is created to preserve and protect all archival materials and iconic American brands’ portfolios.
PVH Corporation, formerly Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation, resembles the French multinational luxury goods conglomerate LVMH. However, PVH is an American global apparel company which owns these iconic brands:
Calvin Klein
Tommy Hilfiger
VanHeusen
Izod
Arrow
Geoffrey Beene
Speedo
Warner’s
Olga
Our tour of the PVH Archives was only four people – Cassandra Diggs, CFDA Chief Administrative & Financial Officer, Fashion Designer, author, Jeffrey Banks, Channing, and I; we all wore and kept our masks on the entire two hours. And the two guides followed the CDC guidelines by masking up as well.
First, Calvin Klein, the designer, launched the brand in 1968. My memories of this brand are jeans, his clever marketing ad with Brooke Shields, and his underwear line—fifty-two years of sophisticated sportswear clothing for women.
The brand now includes Menswear, Perfume, Watches, and Jewelry. 2003 Phillips-Van Heusen acquired Calvin Klein, Inc. for over $400M.
Here’s where Jeffrey shared his personal stories from when he worked as a design assistant to Calvin early in his career, 1974 – 1976.
Jeffrey reminded us of Calvin’s forte early on: women’s coats and pea Jackets. Of course, Jeffrey’s influence of preppy style with plaids, including tartans, shows he is still mad about plaid.
Now, let’s look down the Calvin Klein celebrity aisle; I captured one chic look from the Calvin Klein By Appointment line, which Raf Simons directed.
Calvin Klein red carpet moments with celebrities: Millie Bobby Brown and Model Alek Wek.
Model Alek Wek
Model Alek Wek wearing Calvin Klein at the Venice International Film Festival 2018.
We all remember the American distinctive red, white, and blue fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger. In 1985, Hilfiger launched the preppy brand with more of an urban street style to uptown tailoring. The Tommy Jeans line featured hip-hop singer Aaliyah, who became the spokesperson in 1997.
Phillips-Van Heusen (now PVH) acquired Tommy Hilfiger for $3B in 2010. However, Tommy remains the company’s principal designer.
The PVH Archive Tommy Hilfiger represents all men’s, women’s, and kids’ sportswear, denim, accessories, and footwear collections.
Actress and singer Zendaya wore Tommy Hilfiger and dressed as Cinderella in 2019 at the Met Gala “Camp.”
How about these Tommy Hilfiger celebrity moments from the 2019 Met Gala, “Camp?”
PVH is not just about global growth brands Calvin and Tommy. The 20,000-plus-square-foot archive in Long Island City also incorporates the Heritage Brands; they represent the backbone of 135 years—the original brands that started it all.
Here’s where the PVH Archive looks like a museum capturing the history of these respective Heritage brands. When children for Father’s Day, we all purchased an Arrow or Van Heusen shirt or tie for our Dad’s gift.
Warner’s foundations, mainly corsets—and Olga garter belts.
In the late 19th century, a prominent physician, Dr. Lucien Warner, gave up his practice to begin a new career in medical lecturing specializing in women’s health issues. Warner established a business in 1874 with his first product, “Dr. Warner’s Health Corset.”
According to online sources, Dr. Warner lectured about the harmful effects of the time’s rigid steel-boned corsets.
Let me not forget another rich American Heritage brand, Olga. Soon after settling in California from Poland, Olga Erteszek rented a sewing machine to create her first product in 1942. The garment is a lacy garter belt.
The final leg of the PVH Archive tour included the intake area for collections every season/year.
And finally, the print library that houses ad campaigns.
I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank Jeffrey, the former Ralph Lauren protege, for bringing the PVH Archive Tour alive. Your real-life fashion knowledge and passion came from when you arrived in your hometown of Washington, D.C.
Jeffrey studied at Pratt Institute and graduated from the Parsons School of Design.
Career:
Jeffrey Banks – an acclaimed American Menswear designer:
Ralph Lauren, Design Assistant, 1971-1973
Calvin Klein, Design Assistant, 1973-1976
Jeffrey Banks Studios, 1976-Present
Haggar Corporation, Consultant, 2002-2004
Hartmarx, Design Consultant, 2005-Present
HMX Sportswear, Design Consultant, 2006-2009
HSN, Home Designer/Partner, 2009-2010
Author and Co-author of 5 Books:
Tartan: Romancing the Plaid, 2007
Preppy: Cultivating Ivy Style, 2011
Perry Ellis: An American Original, 2013
Patricia Underwood: The Way You Wear Your Hat, 2015
Norell: Master of American Fashion, 2018
Awards:
Winner of two Coty Awards for Outstanding Menswear and Men’s Furs
Cutty Sark, U.S. Menswear Designer of the Year
Winner of the Earnie Award for Boyswear
Winner of the Pratt Award for Design Excellence
Council Member, Fashion Designers of America
Board Member, Hetrick-Martin Institute
Board of Trustees, Fashion Institute of Technology
Thank you, and Happy Birthday to acclaimed menswear designer Jeffrey Banks.🎈 Oh, I loved all the stories, especially about Pauline Trigère, her deep voice, and her great legs. But the best story is when Jeffrey surprises his mother with a shopping trip to Bergdorf’s to pick out a capsule collection for a surprise trip to Paris.
I want to give a special thank you to my daughter, Channing. Finally, I want to give another thank you to CFDA Cassandra Diggs for lunch at Beebe’s in Long Island City.
As always, thank you for reading. To slow the spread of COVID-19, follow the CDC guidelines — wear your mask and maintain social distance.
