John Varvatos

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John Varvatos
Born Detroit, Michigan
Nationality American
Occupation Fashion designer
Awards CFDA: Menswear Designer of the Year, 2005 and 2001; Perry Ellis Award for Menswear, 2000; GQ: Designer of the Year, 2007
Labels John Varvatos

John Varvatos is an American contemporary menswear designer.[1][2][3]

Biography

The Varvatos family is originally from the village of Poulata on the Greek island of Cefalonia. John Varvatos was born in Detroit and grew up in Allen Park. He attended Allen Park High School. Varvatos joined Polo Ralph Lauren in 1983. He then moved on to Calvin Klein in 1990 where he was appointed head of menswear design and oversaw the launch of the men's collection and the cK brand. In 1995, he returned to Ralph Lauren as Head of Menswear Design for all Polo Ralph Lauren brands and created the Polo Jeans Company.

John Varvatos Fashion House

In late 1999, Varvatos started his company, debuting his first clothing line at the end of 2000 in New York. The brand now includes belts, handbags, footwear, eyewear, watches and fragrances.

In September 2000, within months of showing his first collection, John Varvatos opened a freestanding boutique in Soho. The collection is currently distributed in all John Varvatos boutiques including the 315 Bowery boutique in the space that formerly housed the underground music club CBGB. In addition, the collection is available in select luxury retail stores. In 2001, John Varvatos was licensed to create a line of high-end Converse shoes; a partnership that still continues today.

2009 saw the launch of New York Nights, a monthly radIoshow hosted by John on SIRIUS XM's The Spectrum channel. The show includes songs and interviews from various artists who have influenced John throughout his career in fashion.[4]

In 2012, John joined the cast of celebrity mentors on NBC's Fashion Star, a new reality competition series that searches for the next big brand in fashion.[5]

In 2013, John saw the release of a Limited Edition Chrysler 300 in his name.

John Varvatos credits his early obsession with rock 'n roll as the catalyst for his interest in fashion. The ad campaigns for the main collection, shot by Danny Clinch, have featured such musicians and bands such as Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Velvet Revolver, Chris Cornell, Dave Matthews, The Roots and Green Day.

Music is also central to the brand's philanthropic efforts, including the Save the Music Foundation the annual Stuart House benefit.

Awards

John first received accolades from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) in 2000 when he was honored with the Perry Ellis Award for Menswear. The following year he won the 2001 CFDA's Designer of the Year award.

In 2005 Varvatos received the CFDA's 2005 Menswear Designer of the Year award at the New York Public Library. The recipients are determined by a selection committee of top magazine editors, journalists, stylists and retailers from around the world. He competed for the top honor along with Ralph Lauren and John Bartlett for his third CFDA win.

In 2007 Varvatos was named GQ's Designer of the Year.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Finn, Robin (2008-04-25). "A Man of High Style and Punk Tastes". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-06-14. 
  2. ↑ Schultz, Jonathan (2011-05-12). "Chrysler Exports 'Imported From Detroit' to New York". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-06-14. 
  3. ↑ Sisario, Ben (2008-04-19). "This Ain't No Nightclub (at Least Not Anymore)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-06-14. 
  4. ↑ "SiriusXM - The Spectrum". SiriusXM. 
  5. ↑ "Fashion Star on NBC". NBC. 
  6. ↑ Foxley, David (2007-11-29), GQ Crowns 'Men of the Year'!, The New York Observer, retrieved 2013-06-14 

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