A Missive From Calvin to His Friends

One of Listen’s roving reporters received a letter written on Calvin Klein’s personal stationery that caught his eye. He checked with Klein’s business associate, Paul Wilmot, who confirmed that the letter was real. It read: “I understand that a woman named Sharon Churcher intends to write a book about me and may be contacting you. As you know, I have generally tried to be private about my life and my activities, and I consider my private life, my background, and even my business affairs all confidential matters. I have, for this reason, not authorized this book and will not be providing any assistance to the author. I am asking friends not to speak to Ms. Churcher or to anyone else involved with this book. Please call me if you have any questions. Sincerely, Calvin” A conversation with author-journalist Sharon Churcher, along with Marilyn Ducksworth of G.P. Putnam’s Sons, confirmed that Churcher is indeed writing an unauthorized Klein biography.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: Sulka, the New York-based luxury men’s clothing store, once boasted of making silk underwear for mobster Al Capone while also catering to such men of style as John F. Kennedy, Rudolph Valentino, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Barrymore. Now Sulka is reasserting itself with a new West Coast shop. To update its image, the 96-year-old chain opened an 8,500-square-foot store in the Two Rodeo complex in Beverly Hills Thursday night to serve “a growing wealth of clients in the political and entertainment fields,” says Neal Fox, Sulka president and CEO.

TWO FOR THE ROAD: Geoffrey Beene and Marc Jacobs, who designs the Perry Ellis label, passed through Los Angeles recently, and checked in with Listen. For Beene it was the first stop on his way to Paris, by way of Indonesia. He’s scouting locations for his first Paris boutique and researching his next fashion collection in the islands. “I’m interested in the fundamentals of clothing, in making more of less, something they obviously understand in Indonesia,” he said. Jacobs sent a letter ahead, explaining his West Coast visit: “I’m dedicating my next collection to Los Angeles.”

JR. GQ-PEOPLE: When Giorgio launches RED for Men in June, it’ll also launch an unusual promotion--a program for kids called “Grooming for Greatness.” Jacqueline Cohen, Giorgio’s vice president of communications, explains that the company’s director of national training will visit Boys & Girls Clubs of America around the country to instruct the young members. Tips include how to dress properly for a job interview. Role models mentioned as “consistent good groomers” are Arsenio Hall, Oprah Winfrey, Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan and Jesse Jackson.

NECK FEST AT TIFFANY’S: Tiffany & Co. is adding sartorial splendor. In June, the jewelry giant launches a collection of 50 hand-stitched neckties. Don’t expect wake-me-up colors and wild prints. The collection features muted colors and simple--but elegant--patterns of Russian chintzes, Indian paisleys and ‘30s and ‘40s geometric prints. “We decided to introduce ties because they are a jewel-like accessory for men,” Tiffany’s design director John Loring says. The ties will sell for $85 at the Beverly Hills store.

TOOL JOB: Listen up M.C. Hammer fashion fans, Simplicity Pattern Co. has devised the “Hammer” pants pattern. Now the entire family can dress in those droopy drawers traditionally called dhoti. Simplicity pattern No. 0693 with three variations of pants and a tuxedo jacket comes sized for girls, teen-age boys, misses and men.