Following much speculation, Calvin Klein officially announced the appointment of Raf Simons as Chief Creative Officer of the brand yesterday, effective immediately.
Less than a year after leaving Dior in October 2015 and openly criticizing the pace and pressure of today’s fashion system, Simons is about to helm the creative side of another global fashion enterprise – this time not “only” its womenswear department, but the full range of Calvin Klein brands, including the Calvin Klein brand, Calvin Klein Collection, Calvin Klein Platinum, Calvin Klein Jeans, and the underwear and home section. His first collections will debut for the fall 2017 season.
Not since Mr. Klein himself was at the company has it been led by one creative visionary.
This appointment marks the implementation of Calvin Klein’s new global strategy to unify all Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision, which already began with the reacquisition of the CK Jeans and Underwear businesses in 2013. The new direction was officially declared in April this year, when also the departure of Francisco Costa, former creative director women’s and Italo Zucchelli, former creative director men’s at Calvin Klein Collection was announced, paving the way for Simons’ engagement.
“Not since Mr. Klein himself was at the company has it been led by one creative visionary, and I am confident that this decision will drive the Calvin Klein brand and have a significant impact on its future”, said Steve Shiffman, CEO of Calvin Klein, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of luxury corporation PVH. “Raf’s exceptional contributions have shaped and modernized fashion as we see it today and, under his direction, Calvin Klein will further solidify its position as a leading global lifestyle brand.”
Calvin Klein reportedly looks to grow the brand to $10 billion in global retail sales in the foreseeable future.
To support Simons in further strengthening the brand’s positioning, Calvin Klein has also hired Pieter Mulier as Creative Director. He will be responsible for executing Simons’ creative and design vision for men’s and women’s ready to wear, as well as the bridge and better apparel lines and accessories. He will also manage all men’s and women’s design teams within the Calvin Klein brand, under Simons’ leadership.
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