# Bill Kaiserman > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bill_Kaiserman > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Bill_Kaiserman.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Kaiserman > Source revision: 1332150669 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American fashion designer (1942–2020)}} {{Infobox person | name = Bill Kaiserman | alt = Bill Kaiserman | birth_name = William Jay Kaiserman | birth_date = {{Birth date|1942|09|08}} | birth_place = [Brooklyn, New York](/source/Brooklyn%2C_New_York), U.S. | death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|01|20|1942|09|08}} | death_place = Manhattan, New York, U.S. | occupation = Fashion Designer | spouse = Mildred Jo Lyons (divorce)
Angelina Rosario Rodriguez (until his death) }} '''William Jay "Bill" Kaiserman''' (1942 – 2020){{Cite web|url=https://wwd.com/eye/people/four-time-coty-award-winner-william-kaiserman-dies-at-1203447237/|title=Four-time Coty Award Winner William Kaiserman Dies at 77|last1=Feitelberg|first1=Rosemary|date=2020-01-21|website=WWD|language=en|access-date=2020-03-28}} was an American fashion designer, and a four-time [Coty Award](/source/Coty_Award)-winning designer (1974; 1975; 1976; 1978).[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401400228.html "Kaiserman, Bill"], ''Contemporary Fashion'', 2002, Almond, Kevin; Groshong, Lisa Kaiserman established a design studio in the [Italian](/source/Italy) design community in [Milan](/source/Milan), and developed a designer business in [Europe](/source/Europe) and [Asia](/source/Asia).{{cite book| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2pg_xh064FUC&q=Kaiserman+Skins+sportswear&pg=PA623| title=Dizionario della moda 2010| author=Guido Vergani| editor=B. Merlo| publisher=Baldini Castoldi Dalai| year= 2009| isbn= 978-88-6073-608-6 }} He was awarded the [Cavaliere Del Lavoro](/source/Order_of_Merit_for_Labour) (Knight for Labour) award from the Italian government for his role in developing Italy's reputation in design, fabric and production innovation.{{When|date=March 2020}} ==Early life== He was born 8 September 1942 in [Brooklyn](/source/Brooklyn), New York. He studied acting with [Uta Hagen](/source/Uta_Hagen), before pursuing fashion design. ==Career== He was a self taught designer and founded the Rafael Company in 1970. He entered women's wear in 1976.{{cite web|last=Wohlfert |first=Lee |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20073069,00.html |title=His Models Are 'Just Bodies,' Says Bill Kaiserman; He Only Has Designs on Actress Wife Millie |publisher=People.com |date=1979-03-05 |access-date=2010-10-18}} By 1979, the company had [US$](/source/US%24)30 million in sales for its men's and women's collections business, which included sportswear, clothing, eveningwear and swimwear. The designer also developed an international clothing licensing business ([Van Gils, Netherlands](/source/Van_Gils%2C_Netherlands)) under the Bill Kaiserman Label. During this time Bill Kaiserman also won three Coty awards as well as the first ever Hall of Fame award for Best American Designer. In 1982, Bill Kaiserman moved to [Milan, Italy](/source/Milan%2C_Italy), to develop an international designer business under Bill Kaiserman Label.[https://books.google.com/books?id=GeQCAAAAMBAJ&dq=bill+kaiserman&pg=PA68 ''New York Magazine''] Mar 31, 1980 During the eighties and through partnerships with international companies like Mitsui, and Kashiyana, the Bill Kaiserman Label grew in popularity in Europe, Asia and America. In the early 1990s, Bill Kaiserman returned to the U.S. to develop a U.S. licensing business with companies like [Hartz & Co](/source/Hartz_%26_Co).;{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12268191.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105001712/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-12268191.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-05 |title=Kaiserman licenses Hartz & Co. (clothing designer Bill Kaiserman) Daily News Record |publisher=Highbeam.com |date=1992-05-25 |access-date=2010-10-19}} [Format](/source/Format_(magazine)); [Mondo, Inc](/source/Mondo%2C_Inc), and [American Fashion, Inc.](/source/American_Fashion%2C_Inc.){{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-11559149.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105001636/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-11559149.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-05 |title=Clothing firm in talks with Bill Kaiserman. |publisher=Daily News Record | HighBeam Research |date=1991-11-20 |access-date=2010-10-18}} He has helped other labels by designing new collections, such as Avirex's AVX line.{{When|date=March 2020}} In 1997, Bill Kaiserman created ''Skin Finish'', a revolutionary new coating for fabrics that is patent-pending. In 1998, Bill Kaiserman launched ''Skins'', a street-wear inspired sportswear collection for men and women. Skins being sold to American department and specialty stores. In 2000, he introduced ''Skins'', a streetwear-inspired sportswear collection for men and women.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60602436.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105001705/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60602436.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-05 |title=KAISERMAN HITS THE STREETS WITH SKINS.|publisher=Highbeam.com |date=2000-03-16 |access-date=2010-10-19}} ==Family== He married Mildred Jo Lyons in 1971 and that marriage ended in divorce. His second marriage was to Angelina Rosario Rodriguez in 1990. He died 20 January 2020 in Manhattan, New York, from complications from a stroke and pneumonia. ==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Kaiserman, Bill}} Category:1942 births Category:2020 deaths Category:Fashion designers from New York City Category:Designers from Brooklyn Category:Menswear designers --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Bill Kaiserman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Kaiserman) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Kaiserman?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.