Francisco Costa

Francisco Costa is a celebrated Brazilian-American fashion designer and creative director, widely recognized for his minimalist aesthetic and influential work in luxury fashion. Born in 1954 in Guarani, Brazil, Costa moved to the United States in the 1980s, studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He began his career working under designers like Oscar de la Renta before rising to prominence as the Creative Director of Calvin Klein’s women’s collection, a role he held from 2003 to 2016.

During his tenure at Calvin Klein, Costa was acclaimed for reinvigorating the brand with clean lines, refined tailoring, and a modern sensibility that earned him two CFDA Awards for Womenswear Designer of the Year. His approach to fashion has always emphasized clarity, restraint, and elegance, drawing inspiration from both architecture and nature. Reflecting on his philosophy, he once said, “Design is not just about clothes—it's about attitude and a sense of being.” His work helped shape early 21st-century American fashion into something both bold and quietly powerful.

After leaving Calvin Klein, Francisco Costa launched Costa Brazil, a sustainable beauty and wellness brand that merges his passion for environmental responsibility, Brazilian botanicals, and holistic design. His shift into sustainability reflects his evolving vision of creativity as a force for well-being and ecological awareness. As he put it, “True luxury is being connected to the earth.” Through both fashion and wellness, Costa continues to influence how style and sustainability intersect in contemporary design.