WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
THE NEW CALVIN KLEIN
Let’s get one thing clear: with Raf Simons (you know him from his days at Jil Sander and Dior) at the helm since late 2016, Calvin Klein is no longer the “Calvin” you know. To start, it’s now got a new name, CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC. However, and more importantly, it’s also boasting a new cool. Four runway collections later, it’s the hottest ticket at New York Fashion Week and has turned out cult items since Raf’s first season. Here, find everything you need to know.
“Americana” Has Never Been Cooler:
Raf’s reference points have ranged from American West (cowboy shirts and prairie dresses) to iconic American films (Jaws and The Graduate), giving the folk and familiar a newly-minted It appeal. Surely some of it can be attributed to Simons' fresh perspective as an outsider, but if a designer can get the young kids coveting quilts, you know he’s good.
The Name, Explained:
Though it’s a set of coordinates familiar to New York insiders, the new brand moniker may not be an obvious choice to everyone. To explain, 205 West 39th Street is the address of the label’s Manhattan headquarters, making for a very clear connection to where everything is created.