Fashion career profile
Francisco Costa
Francisco Costa is a Brazilian fashion designer whose work is associated with modern American womenswear and refined evening dressing. Raised in Guarani, Brazil, he moved to New York to pursue fashion and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, with additional study in Italy. He began his career designing for Bill Blass and worked with Oscar de la Renta and Pierre Balmain couture before joining Gucci’s design studio in 1998 under Tom Ford, where he focused on eveningwear. Costa joined Calvin Klein in 2002 and became Women’s Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection in 2003. His tenure helped define the women’s runway line through controlled silhouettes, material focus and a pared-back palette; he left the house in 2016. After Calvin Klein, he founded Costa Brazil, a beauty and wellness venture inspired by Brazilian biodiversity. This profile keeps studio employment, collection leadership and later entrepreneurship distinct.
- Role
- Brazilian Fashion Designer; former Women’s Creative Director, Calvin Klein Collection
- Nationality
- Brazilian
- Career appointments
- 2
- Fashion houses
- 2
- Education: Fashion Institute of Technology; further study in ItalyThe CFDA biography records his FIT studies and additional study in Italy. · CFDA
- Gucci: Senior Designer, eveningwear (1998–early 2002)The CFDA biography says Tom Ford recruited him to Gucci in 1998 before he joined Calvin Klein in early 2002. · CFDA
- Calvin Klein: Women’s Creative Director, Calvin Klein Collection (2003–2016)Costa assumed the women’s collection role after joining the studio in 2002 and left in April 2016. · CFDA
- 1993 — Begins a five-year collaboration with Oscar de la RentaHis work included the signature collection and Pierre Balmain couture.
- 1998 — Joins Gucci’s design studioTom Ford recruits him to focus on eveningwear.
- 2003 — Becomes Women’s Creative Director at Calvin Klein CollectionHis appointment follows his arrival at the studio in early 2002.
- 2016 — Leaves Calvin KleinCosta exits after a 14-year period at the company, including his women’s collection leadership.
- 2003–2016 — Women’s Creative Director, Calvin Klein Collection — Calvin KleinHistorical appointment · CFDA
- 1998–2002 — Senior Designer, Eveningwear — GucciHistorical appointment · CFDA