CFDA Names Francisco Costa 2008 Womenswear Designer of the Year

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Calvin Klein, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (NYSE: PVH), today announced that the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) last night named Francisco Costa – the Creative Director for the women’s Calvin Klein Collection – the 2008 Womenswear Designer of the Year. The awards gala took place at the New York Public Library with many of the world’s most prominent designers present.

The CFDA presents the Womenswear Designer of the Year award annually to an American designer who has made the most outstanding contribution to and has influenced the direction of women's ready-to-wear fashion with his or her most recent spring and fall collections. The award nominees and winner were selected by the CFDA membership, comprised of a peer group of designers, editors, retailers and stylists. Other nominees for this prestigious category included Marc Jacobs, and Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough.

Mr. Costa received the very same award in 2006 when he was nominated alongside the same designers.

“Receiving this esteemed award for a second time is a testament to Francisco’s extraordinary talent, hard work, and dedication to his craft,” said Tom Murry, President and COO, Calvin Klein, Inc. “We are thrilled that Francisco has been honored again by the CFDA and acknowledged by his peers.”

Actress Eva Mendes, dressed in Calvin Klein Collection, alongside Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Victoria Beckham presented Mr. Costa with the award. Ms. Mendes will soon be featured in the Fall 2008 advertising campaigns for Calvin Klein Underwear as well as for Calvin Klein Secret Obsession, the company’s latest fragrance.

Additionally, Mr. Costa was recently honored two other distinguished awards. In April, he was presented with the 2008 Spirit of Design Award at the Philadelphia University Fashion Show. Last month, Mr. Costa received the 2008 Mortimer C. Ritter Award at this year’s Fashion Institute of Technology’s (F.I.T.’s) graduation ceremony held at Radio City Music Hall. That award is given to an alumnus who has excelled in the art of design, and in prior years has been awarded to designers like Calvin Klein.

Calvin Klein, Inc. is one of the leading fashion design and marketing studios in the world. It designs and markets women’s and men’s designer collection apparel and a range of other products that are manufactured and marketed through an extensive network of licensing agreements and other arrangements worldwide. Brands/lifestyles include Calvin Klein Collection, ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, and Calvin Klein Underwear. Product lines under the various Calvin Klein brands include apparel, accessories, shoes, sleepwear, hosiery, socks, swimwear, belts, eyewear, watches, jewelry, coats, suits, and fragrances and beauty, as well as products for the home.

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation is one of the world's largest apparel companies. It owns and markets the Calvin Klein brand worldwide. It is the world's largest shirt and neckwear company and markets a variety of goods under its own brands, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, IZOD, ARROW, Bass and G.H. Bass & Co., and its licensed brands, including Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, unlisted, A Kenneth Cole Production, BCBG Max Azria, BCBG Attitude, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, JOE Joseph Abboud, Tommy Hilfiger, Perry Ellis Portfolio, DKNY and, beginning in Fall 2008, Timberland.

IMAGE CAPTION: Calvin Klein Collection women's creative director Francisco Costa and actress Eva Mendes at the 2008 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Awards.

IMAGE CREDIT: © 2008 Patrick McMullan