Calvin Klein is a famous fashion house named after its founder and designer Calvin Klein.  It was founded in 1968 as a coat shop in the York Hotel in New York City and its first collection consisted of a line of men’s and women’s coats.  Since then, the brand now carries everything from swimwear and lingerie to fragrances.

It was on this day, November 19, 1980, that the controversial TV ad for Calvin Klein with Brooke Shields was banned.  The ad, photographed and directed by Richard Avedon, featured a 15-year-young Shields saying “Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.”  The question arose of whether the ad had crossed the line between fashion and pornography as well as whether the company was exploiting children.

Even though many of the company’s ads have been viewed as controversial, the company has continued to remain successful overall.  In 1993, Klein was named America’s Best Designer for his notable, all-American minimalist designs.