Adam Kimmel, an American fashion designer, proudly credits his parents, Claudia Aronow and Martin Kimmel, for inspiring his versatility, which enables him to excel in any discipline he chooses.
He is renowned for his avant-garde menswear and unconventional approach to fashion presentation. He launched his eponymous label in the mid-2000s and quickly gained attention for blending workwear aesthetics with luxury tailoring.
Instead of traditional runway shows, he often used creative lookbooks and collaborations with artists like George Condo and Gerard Malanga.
He studied architecture and art history at New York University, which shaped his design sensibility. His designs were picked up by high-end retailers like Colette and Bergdorf Goodman early in his career.
Moreover, he has collaborated with streetwear and workwear giants like Supreme and Carhartt WIP.
In 2012, at the peak of his success, Kimmel paused his fashion brand to focus on family and personal growth. Later, he joined WeWork as Chief Creative Officer, overseeing design and artistic direction for their global office spaces.
Adam Kimmel Parents: Claudia Aronow and Martin Kimmel
Adam Kimmel was born into a family that excelled at creativity and inherited his business talent from them. His father, Martin Kimmel, was the co-founder of the Kimco Realty Corporation, and his mother, Claudia Aronow, is a renowned artist.
Martin Kimmel
On April 15, 2008, the world lost a dedicated philanthropist and successful businessman, Martin Kimmel, who passed away from congestive heart failure at the age of 92.
Born on April 9, 1916, in the Bronx to Henry and Emma Kimmel, Martin lived a life marked by service, enterprise, and generosity.
After briefly attending Syracuse University, Kimmel left to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Upon returning, he joined his father’s business and later co-founded Henry Kimmel & Sons, a construction firm that laid the foundation for his future success.
His most notable business achievement came through his partnership with Milton Cooper, with whom he co-founded Kimco Realty Corporation, now one of the largest publicly traded real estate investment trusts in the U.S.
After retiring from Kimco in 1991, Kimmel devoted himself to philanthropy, supporting medical research, education, and the arts.
His legacy of giving continued even after his death. His third wife, Helen Lyttle, donated $150 million in his honor to NYU Langone Medical Center.
He divorced his first wife, Gloria DeHaven, in 1954 and married Claudia Aronow.
Claudia Aronow
Born in 1952 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Claudia Aronow grew up in Coral Gables, Florida, as the daughter of famed boat designer and racer Donald Aronow.
Despite her father’s legacy in the world of speedboats, Claudia forged her path in the arts, nurturing a lifelong passion for creativity. In 1969, she enrolled at NYU’s Washington Square College to pursue her artistic aspirations.
Over the years, she honed her skills in drawing, painting, photography, and book arts, studying at various institutions to refine her craft. However, it was in 1998 that she made a decisive shift, dedicating herself entirely to painting.
Her early works leaned toward representational themes, but by 2000, her style evolved into non-objective abstraction.
Reflecting on her artistic evolution in an interview with New York Social Diary, Claudia remarked,
They’ve changed. They’ve morphed. For a while they became more like stones, you could probably say.
This transformation showcases her willingness to explore new forms and ideas, enabling her work to evolve organically over time.
Furthermore, family remains an essential influence in her life. In the same interview, she expressed her desire for her sons, Adam and Alexei, to be proud of her.
Claudia’s work gained significant attention at Art Miami 2015, a prestigious international contemporary and modern art fair.
Today, her pieces can also be found at the MM Fine Art Gallery in Southampton, where her abstract compositions continue to captivate audiences.
