Calvin Klein won the Coty Award for three consecutive years, from 1973 through 1975.
The Coty American Fashion Critics’ Award was one of the leading honors in American fashion before the Council of Fashion Designers of America awards became dominant. Klein first won in 1973 for a 74-piece women’s collection, then received the award again in 1974 and 1975. This three-year run helped establish him as a major force in American fashion.
Klein’s success came from a clean, restrained design language that contrasted with more elaborate fashion. He expanded from coats into sportswear and helped popularize what became known as the “Calvin Klein look,” built around simple lines, understated colors, and accessible luxury.
The award is sometimes confused with later CFDA honors, which Klein also received, including a lifetime achievement award in 2001. The Coty sequence concerns the years 1973, 1974, and 1975—not five consecutive wins. In 1975, Klein also became the youngest designer elected to the Coty Hall of Fame.