Calvin Klein: Easy Does It
Being cozy, comfortable, sporty, and casual, is the new black. And so is gray (shades of gray to be exact). This message rang loud and clear at Wednesday’s men’s and women’s Calvin Klein white label apparel, jeans, performance, and accessories presentation for fall 2014, where everything was shown with flats (trainers, sneakers, slip ons, sandals), to further accentuate the mood. It was all about hip, young, urbane, utilitarian, and multi purpose (the height of modern).
Held on the main floor of 205 West 39th street, it was once again, an informal installation on models. There was an additional selection of items hanging on racks, and accessories were displayed on tables, allowing editors to get up close and personal with merchandise that included bags (sculptural and linear hair calf clutches, Saffiano leather satchels, totes, backpacks, portfolios); shoes (slip on flats, double strap sandals, zip sneakers, track sneakers and trainers, and one fierce leather over the knee boot on a high heel); watches (transparent bands with stainless steel for women; silicone straps with aluminum cases for men); translucent eyewear; a smattering of smart and chic rose gold jewelry that highlighted polished metal chains.
It’s apparent Kevin Carrigan, Global Creative Director, ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans, and Calvin Klein, is feeling strongly for slouchy, over sized ribbed and cabled sweaters; rich textures and tactile fabrics; chicly comfortable outerwear in multi layered mohair, alpaca, and felted cool; pajama inspired ‘loungey’ pieces in blush (to be worn inside and out); and of course, denim, which has long been a house specialty. This season, it’s all about the new boot leg slouchy and extra-long jean, and the straight boy fit or rolled girlfriend, for the gals; the slim cut engineered concealed jean with minimal top stitching for the guys, in black or deep indigo washes, rinsed or finished with varnish or glaze.
What was lovely, in addition to the chic late morning refreshments and beverages served by elegant young men, were the cherry blossoms, which served as a backdrop to the fashion, and a reminder that even though it is still frigid, it IS spring after all. Speaking of which, though fall winter merchandise was being shown, it had an unapologetically season less feeling thanks to the emphasis on the yin and yang that always exists in fashion: the play of structured and soft, dark and pale, masculine and feminine, covered up and bare; over sized and narrow, etc. To better show off the new Calvin Klein Perfectly Fit Underwear for fall 2014 (made of a soft warp knit high tech fabric that offers superior stretch and a luxurious feel), push up bras, triangles, bare under wires, and bikinis, were on display, often juxtaposed against the decidedly heftier tweeds, flannels, felts, and of course, the androgynous denim.
FYI, upon leaving, in addition to a pair of Calvin Klein sunglasses in a nifty case, each editor received an iconic wire free bra and matching bikini. Now, if only it can finally get warmer and brighter.
