THE DESIGN
LIBRARY

Case Study
Design Library Source: (Top) Velvet, 20th century, Studio Staron or Gourdon, France (Bottom) Velvet, Mid-20th century, Studio Bianchini-Férier, France
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Design Library Source: Velvet, 20th century, Studio Staron or Gourdon, France
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Drawing Development (Courtesy Calvin Klein)
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Drawing Development (Courtesy Calvin Klein)
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Color Trial (Courtesy Calvin Klein)
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Final Result (Photo Credit: Jarl Erichsen/AP/Press Association Images)
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Calvin Klein Michelle Obama

“The Design Library has always been an incredible and inspiring resource for me and for the house. Their wealth of knowledge is so incredible and their love of textiles is so evident that it is always a pleasure to visit. This particular fabric from the Design Library sparked what was the starting point of our Fall 2009 women’s collection. I felt strongly about wanting to reinterpret a traditional technique in a new way. The beauty of this fabric is that what you think is devoré is actually much more modern and directional. The fabric is technically laser cut by computer, then bonded onto superfine mesh to give it the textured effect. It was not only a hit on the runway, but in the White House as well! I was thrilled when First Lady Michelle Obama chose to wear a look that I made for her using the fabric to the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony in Norway.”

—Francisco Costa, Creative Director Women’s Wear