John Kloss

John Kloss, born as John Klosowski[1] (13 June 1937 – 25 March 1987) was an American fashion designer, known for his modern lingerie and sleepwear designs.[2][3]

John Kloss
Born
John Klosowski

(1937-06-13)June 13, 1937
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedMarch 25, 1987(1987-03-25) (aged 49)
Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.
Alma materTraphagen School of Fashion
OccupationFashion Designer
Years active1958–1987

History

John Klosowski was born 13 June 1937 in Detroit, Michigan.[4] He studied at Cass Technical High School, learning about architecture.[4] He moved to New York City and studied at Traphagen School of Fashion, graduating in 1958 in Costume Design.[5] After briefly living in Paris, in 1963 he moved back to New York City and opened a custom dressmaking business.[6] Henri Bendel, a women's accessories store based in New York City was credited with discovering John Kloss and providing him with early work.[7]

His dresses in the 1960s were unconstructed jersey and crepe fabric, but worn tight to show the body shape.[8] By the 1970s his dresses were more loose in shape.[8]

Kloss received two Coty Awards, in 1971 and 1974, for his lingerie designs.[1] His 1970s line of bras had an impact on the lingerie industry, John Kloss Glossies made by Lily of France, came in five bold colors, seamless, minimal, but still an underwired bra - for a braless-look.[9]

He died at the age of 49 on 25 March 1987 in his home in Stamford, Connecticut from a carbon monoxide poisoning-related suicide.[1] According to the New York Times, "Mr. Kloss had been under severe pressure because of tax problems in recent years, according to business associates."[1]

Kloss' work is found in many public museum collections including at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met),[10] Victoria and Albert Museum,[11] among others.

References
  1. "John Kloss Dies at Age 49; Designed Women's Fashions". The New York Times. 1987-03-31. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  2. Tucker, Priscilla (August 28, 1972). "Kloss Stitches". The New York Magazine. p. 45. Retrieved 2019-12-01.
  3. Morris, Bernadine (1979-05-19). "Lingerie: Wit, Whimsy and Practicality". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  4. Martin, Richard Harrison (1995). Contemporary Fashion. St. James Press. p. 285. ISBN 9781558621732.
  5. "Traphagen Alumni, The Traphagen School: Fostering American Fashion". Museum at FIT. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  6. DePaola, Helena; Stewart Mueller, Carol (1980). Marketing Today's Fashion. Prentice-Hall. p. 168.
  7. Critienden, Ann (1977-04-24). "Spotlight". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  8. Morris, Bernadine (1974-05-08). "Fashion Talk". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  9. "Lily of France Glossies Archives". Lingerie Briefs ~ by Ellen Lewis. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  10. "Collection Search: John Kloss". MetMuseum.org. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
  11. "Garments worn by Marit Allen". Victoria and Albert Museum. 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2019-12-02.
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