A pioneer of the '90s minimalism movement, Narciso Rodriguez embarked on a career in womenswear after graduating from Parsons School of Design. After graduating, he held several posts at many New York houses, including Anne Klein (during Donna Karan.s reign), Calvin Klein, TSE, and later at Cerruti in Paris. Not until 1997 did Rodriguez present his first solo show under his namesake label. His clean, modern silhouettes earned him the Best New Designer at the Vogue/VH1 Fashion Awards in New York and the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for best new womenswear designer. In 2002, he was awarded the CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, and in 2006 he launched a menswear line as well as a women.s handbag line.
