Life & Style | Beauty & Fashion
Calvin Klein dressing for a brave new world
One label has spent the last 40 years showing the world that luxury doesn't have to be about bling, comfort, cut and an iconic name go just as far. Now, it's taking over Dubai. Everyone, hold on to your Calvins.
- By Natalie Long, Deputy tabloid! Editor
- Published: 00:31 April 24, 2008
- Kevin Carrigan is the creative director of Calvin Klein.
- Image Credit: Supplied photo
When Calvin Klein (the man) first stepped into the psychedelic fashion scene of the late 1960s and launched Calvin Klein (the brand) with a few coats, the Bronx-born designer would revolutionise not only the look of fashion, but the way it operates.
Within a few years, his knack for clean, body-conscious lines would earn him the most exclusive fashion awards (and millions of dollars).
But what really made Klein a fashion groundbreaker was his seminal ability to create a brand with an aura of exclusivity and mass-market appeal.
Today's style scene is all about global brands, but back in 1978, top designers made clothes for those who could afford it.
That was the year Klein put his provocative design slant on a pair of jeans — and his signature on the back pocket — thus
turning fashion logic on its head.
The world lapped it up. Klein defined a generation with his sexed-up ads (15-year-old Brooke Shields saying nothing comes between her and her Calvins). His clothes showed minimalism and restraint — with one key exception: the label was on the outside (so were the underpants).
Fast-forward to 2008 and the brand is celebrating its 40th anniversary, although Klein (the man) plays only a small role in the company. But the designs have retained his sexy-casual-easy mantra and the brand is no less aggressive in its expansion, taking another stab at the beauty world this year and launching a line of golf wear.
tabloid! spoke to the label's creative director, Kevin Carrigan, who will be in Dubai to present his ck Calvin Klein collection for the first time on Thursday.
You are responsible for maintaining the “global design aesthetic"of ck Calvin Klein and Calvin Klein Jeans. How would you define that look?
The over-arching aesthetic of the house is minimal, architectural, and always sexy. Calvin Klein represents great design and always gives consideration to form, function, and beauty.
Calvin Klein is known for its minimalism; Dubai is known for its opulence. How do you reconcile the two?
Our brands do very well in Dubai and the Middle East. We stand for a strong minimalist design vision which is timeless and transcends trends and cultures. The Calvin Klein aesthetic really resonates with the consumer in these new emerging cities, as the brand represents modernity.
You were recently in Singapore for its Fashion Festival. Do you see these emerging “new worlds"— Asia, the Middle East — as inspiration?
Yes, I absolutely do. Our design philosophy resonates with the consumer in these emerging markets. They want to be modern but respectful of their traditional culture.
I love the idea of new cities for inspiration, especially places like Dubai where there is an exciting mix of innovative, modern urban architecture contrasted with its natural surroundings.
There are many different sections of the Calvin Klein company — the Collection, ck Calvin Klein and Calvin Klein — what is the difference between the designs? And who do you have in mind when working on those lines?
The women's Calvin Klein Collection is designed by Francisco Costa and is considered our “halo"brand. That is the designer collection line and represents pure luxury. ck Calvin Klein is iconic but has a youthful, urban edge and is designed to be more accessible. It is a line of modern, effortless pieces.
What is your favourite area of the brand to work in?
I love the whole design process, but particularly I love taking the two-dimensional design and transforming it to the
three-dimensional, while always considering form, function, beauty and emotion simultaneously.
I also enjoy working with our creative team to ensure that that emotion is carried through in that season's advertising
campaigns.
Kate Bosworth is the current face of Calvin Klein Jeans. How did that come about?
Kate's been connected to the house for a few years now. Her effortless, sexy look is a perfect fit for Calvin Klein Jeans. She is really down to earth and has a passion for design.
Calvin Klein is celebrating 40 years this year. What is the key to the brand's continuing success?
Consistency, strong design vision and a modern brand identity. We focus on designing for the present, not the past.
What is next for the company that already provides so many essential items? Is a golf wear line in the pipeline?
We will continue to grow in new relevant categories as we have done in the past — jeans in the '70s, underwear and perfume in the '80s, ck Calvin Klein in the '90s. We have recently introduced a golf line and we are currently rolling out our ck Calvin Klein beauty line globally. It will be available in Dubai in the autumn.
How involved is Klein these days? Do you work with him on a one-on-one basis?
Yes, occasionally on special projects, like the archive.
The art of design
I draw inspiration from the Bauhaus movement of modernism,"says Calvin Klein creative director Kevin Corrigan. That design philosophy — one of the first to unify form and function, making design work for the user — sums up the Calvin Klein aesthetic perfectly.
Although he's British, Corrigan appears to have fully embraced the pure lines and simplicity of American design, citing designers such as Neutra and Eames as inspiration.
“I appreciate designers with a consistent vision and understanding of fun."
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