Francisco Costa is a native of Brazil and longtime force in fashion.  He was a principal member of Tom Ford’s design team, which successfully overhauled Gucci in the 1990s, and where he earned prominent recognition for his designs for women.  In 2002 he was named to replace American fashion icon Calvin Klein as the head designer for the firm that continues to bear Mr. Klein’s name.  Additionally, he has worked directly with leading fashion houses including Balmain Couture and Oscar de la Renta.  Mr. Costa was named Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2006 and again in 2008 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America for his work at Calvin Klein.