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Quote by Francisco Costa

“I wasn't a club kid. I wasn't an artist. I was just a foreigner, trying to soak it all up. I had quite a lot of fun.”

Author

Francisco Costa (born May 10, 1964) is a Brazilian-American fashion designer best known for his role as the creative director of Calvin Klein women's wear from 2003 to 2016. Born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, he initially studied medicine before pursuing fashion. He worked at Oscar de la Renta and Gucci before leading Calvin Klein, where he redefined the brand with minimalist, sensual designs. Costa won the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award in 2006. In 2017, he launched Costa Brazil, a sustainable beauty and lifestyle brand. His work emphasizes clean lines, natural materials, and environmental consciousness. more

“Mid-'80s in New York was fantastic. I remember my first Gay Pride parade in the city. Where I grew up was very sheltered, so when I got to the city, there was this freedom and so much happening. At the same time, there was this pressure of AIDS and everything else. New York is so different today.”

Different Today Remember Pride Gay Aids Fantastic

Author:Francisco Costa

“I could never before say that I loved color or that I understood color. But Oscar de la Renta opened up a side of my brain.”

Brain

Author:Francisco Costa

“I didn't even have a portfolio, but I went to Tom Ford the next morning. He said, "I'd love you to come in with me. Get a lawyer." It was quite exciting, obviously, because it was a complete departure. But mind you, what he was looking for was the exact opposite of what I thought. My first collection for him was Cher-inspired. It was flower trousers, California, hippie cool, all the stuff I did at Oscar. It was making me sick. I wanted to see the other side of the spectrum. Tom was always very secure about the way he did things, so it was quite interesting for me.”

Mind Interesting Morning Love You Flower Sick Exciting Lawyer Hippie

Author:Francisco Costa

“You can't compare us, but I do think that Calvin Klein influenced his way of working. Calvin created this whole aesthetic with imagery - the whole sex thing. I can see that Calvin influence on his work. What Calvin has created is untouchable. My legacy, whatever it is I'm doing here, is miniscule compared to what he has done. It's just like an update deal.”

Thinking Done Influence Legacy Compare Aesthetic Imagery Untouchables

Author:Francisco Costa