13 Facts About Joseph Abboud

Abboud's father Joseph worked in a candy factory and his mother, Lila, was a seamstress.

Joseph Abboud had one sister, Nancy Ash; she and Lila died of breast cancer.

Joseph Abboud graduated from the University of Massachusetts-Boston in 1972, then studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Joseph Abboud joined Ralph Lauren in 1981, eventually becoming associate director of menswear design.

Joseph Abboud was the first designer to win the CFDA award as Best Menswear Designer two years in a row.

Joseph Abboud sold his trademarks and name to JA Apparel for $65 million in 2000.

Childs Associates for $73 million in 2004, and Joseph Abboud left JA Apparel in 2005.

In 2010, Joseph Abboud became the chief creative officer of HMX, owner of the Hart Schaffner Marx and Hickey Freeman brands.

In December 2012, Joseph Abboud became Chief Creative Director of Men's Wearhouse.

Joseph Abboud wrote Threads: My Life Behind the Seams in the High-Stakes World of Fashion in which he thoroughly describes the fashion industry from designing and selling clothes to naming colors.

Joseph Abboud frequently appeared on Don Imus's radio show and was a regular caller to the New York City radio station, WFAN, to discuss his beloved Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees' rival.

Joseph Abboud was honored as one of five "Men for the Cure" by GQ magazine and General Motors' Concept:Cure during a breast cancer fund-raiser.

Joseph Abboud says he has a personal interest in curing breast cancer, because his mother and sister both died from the disease.