Calvin Klein
22
4.1
- proper noun
- /ˈkælvɪn klaɪn/
- This season, Calvin Klein released a stunning collection of minimalist clothing.
- Calvin Klein Collection
- Calvin Klein dress
Examples
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And, um, she needs skirts from Calvin Klein.
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I loved the simplicity of her Calvin Klein dress.
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I need 10 or 15 skirts from Calvin Klein.
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Eternity by Calvin Klein.
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I need 10 or 15 skirts from Calvin Klein.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Calvin + Klein
Calvin Klein is a proper name/brand referring to a specific person and fashion label, so its meaning (a designer/brand) is not compositionally built from the constituent names. Knowing the parts 'Calvin' and 'Klein' as words or names does not allow a B1 learner to infer the professional/brand meaning; this is referential/cultural knowledge that requires prior exposure. Proper nouns and brands are therefore opaque for learners in terms of morphological transparency.
Etymology
Calvin Klein is the name of the man who started the fashion brand; he began as a young designer in New York and used his own name for his clothes. He became known for simple, clean styles, so Calvin Klein now stands for the brand and a 'minimalist' or 'understated' kind of fashion.