Millie Bobby Brown Helps Raf Simons Debut First Collection for Calvin Klein

Mikelle Street
Raf Simons debuts his collection for Calvin Klein by Appointment 1-14 (Photo: Instagram)
Raf Simons debuts his collection for Calvin Klein by Appointment 1-14 (Photo: Instagram)

Raf Simons isn’t waiting for Fashion Week to put his first designs for Calvin Klein out. Today, the Belgian designers established a brand new line for the brand based off of the company’s longstanding atelier.

Until now, the Calvin Klein atelier was one open to celebrities. Calvin Klein By Appointment 1 – 14 changes that, opening the designs to all. And while that may seem like a possibly risky move, it has a very specific reasoning: changing the public perception of the brand.

A cast of distinct individuals brings the idea to life: Chosen for who they are, where an essential strength of character is key. Whether famous or unknown, all are treated equally. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Email Calvin Klein By Appointment: ByAppointment@ck.com

A photo posted by Calvin Klein (@calvinklein) on Jan 22, 2017 at 9:02am PST

“Calvin Klein is not only about iconic underwear and jeans — it’s about so much more,” Simons, the chief creative officer writes on the brand’s Instagram. To wit, the new line is composed of 14 looks that pay homage to every decade of American fashion from the 1920’s until now. It’s quite the selection.

“It is driven by character,” Pieter Mulier, the creative director of Calvin Klein says. “It’s about a woman feeling empowered and being her own person in what she wears.” Mulier has served as Simons’ right hand for years, working with him at his namesake company as well as at Dior. Now he joins him at Calvin.

“Calvin Klein By Appointment 1-14 is very much about celebrating the American woman and American fashion.” —Raf Simons, CCO Calvin Klein ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Email Calvin Klein By Appointment: ByAppointment@ck.com

A photo posted by Calvin Klein (@calvinklein) on Jan 22, 2017 at 9:50am PST

But Mulier isn’t the only one. To shoot line which riffs on a bit of American pragmatism and uses pop iconography like cheerleaders, debutantes and the majorettes as reference points, Simons calls in others he’s worked with over the years. Frequent collaborators Willy Vanderperre and Olivier Rizzo are pulled in as photographer and stylist respectively.

Though the new line is available to everyone, don’t expect to see it in stores. CKBA 1-14 will be a made-to-measure line. Potential customers can schedule appointments that will begin April 1, 2017, and expect to get the same treatment as a celebrity. The atelier for getting measurements will be in New York City and the brand says the looks are all handcrafted in the city as well.

It’s all quite the lead up to Simons’ New York debut of his own brand on February 10 and his runway debut at Calvin Klein on February 10.

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