That Platinum Touch

Ck Calvin Klein celebrates the coming winter season with a clean, almost architectural 1960’s look that underlines the cohesion between the women’s and men’s collections and explores strength and power.
Kevin Carrigan, the brand’s global creative director, was in Bangkok recently to deliver the new collection in person as well as to announce the rebranding of the label. In Asia and Japan, in coordination with licensing partners Club21 and Onward Kashiyama, respectively, the “Calvin Klein platinum label” rebranding of men’s and women’s apparel and accessories will begin to be introduced with the Spring 2014 season. Elsewhere the name change takes effect this autumn through the label’s watch and jewellery line.
“Under the new Calvin Klein platinum label, fashion lovers will enjoy a greater emphasis enhanced value, with a product line of uncompromising high quality made from fabrics from Italy and Japan at the same prices. Sophisticated pale silver will become our signature in addition to basic black and white,” Carrigan explains. “There will be a major launch in Europe and around the world in October.”
Calvin Klein’s brand architecture will now be comprised of three distinct brand tiers that are designed to provide a framework to guide a focused, consistent approach to growth and development. “Calvin Klein Collection” remains the most prestigious and refined brand in the portfolio. Serving as the “halo” brand, it sets the tone of elegance and luxurious simplicity for the company’s other designer brands. Shown on the runways of New York and Milan, the Calvin Klein Collection is designed by Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli.
“Calvin Klein platinum label” features the men’s and women’s sportswear and accessories tier, positioned as modern, directional and sexy with an urban edge, and with distribution focused upon Europe and Asia. Key to the line will be a modern silhouette in innovative fabrics and forward-thinking, distinctive colour palettes.
“Calvin Klein white label” represents the base of the company’s brand pyramid, which is anchored by the “better” tier of sportswear and accessories as well as the iconic jeans and underwear brands plus products for the home.
“The silhouette is still architectural and dimensional with a juxtaposition of hard and soft lines and textures depicting the core of the womenswear collection,” Carrigan says of the new collection. “Deep rich wine and bright cobalt blue add lustre to a cream and white palette. Skirts are longer and details such as buttons are kept minimal or removed totally. In their place are discreet details such as hooks and snap fastenings that underscore the collection’s clean unfettered leanings. “
The highlights are coats with rounded shoulders and without collars, tailored lapel-less blazers with nipped waists, tapered pants cropped at the ankles, slim-fit pencil skirts with flared ends and cropped grained leather biker jackets.
The men’s line keeps things trim and tailored with graphic square necklines making strong appearances throughout. There are leather accents on jackets and outerwear, discreet zipper detailing on jackets and pants, knitwear with square necklines and ribbed detailing as well as texturised monochromatic prints.
Accessories include oversized wide bucket-shaped leather totes with contrasting leather detailing and supple oversized leather pouches.