U.S. fashion brand Calvin Klein has appointed Veronica Leoni to the role of creative director of collection, signalling the New York-based brand’s return to the runway.
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As creative director of Collection, Leoni will merge her deep industry expertise with the modern aesthetic of Calvin Klein, while partnering with Calvin Klein global brand president Eva Serrano. Leoni will report directly into Serrano.
The Calvin Klein Collection will include men’s and women’s apparel, underwear and accessories, “rooted in timeless and innovative designs,” and will make it debut for Autumn 2025.
A luxury fashion veteran, Leoni has worked across several fashion houses including Jil Sander, Céline, Moncler and The Row, as well as being awarded a 2023 LVMH Prize finalist for her brand Quira.
“We are proud to name Veronica as Creative Director of Collection, the pinnacle expression of the Calvin Klein brand,” said Serrano. “It was clear from our first conversations that Veronica’s life’s work had been preparing her for this moment and the opportunity to define a new era for Calvin Klein. I am confident that her purposeful approach to design and work ethic, combined with our shared values, will further enrich our iconic brand and result in a collection that resonates with our consumers around the world.”
Calvin Klein Collection, which had been renamed 205W39NYC, was shuttered in March 2019 following the abrupt departure of former chief creative officer Raf Simons in December 2018.
“I’m thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to write a new chapter of the Calvin Klein story,” said Leoni.
“For decades, Calvin Klein interpreted the idea of bold self-expression, and I am willing to empower it with a strong accent on style and creativity. I’m deeply thankful to Eva Serrano for her vision and trust. My career has been marked by inspiring encounters with some of the most visionary women in fashion and she is one of them. I also want to thank PVH CEO Stefan Larsson for the amazing opportunity to celebrate one of the most influential brands of American fashion.”
In its most recent trading update, PVH recorded a revenue increase of 4 percent to USD 2.207 billion for the second quarter, on the back of strong growth in the American fashion giant’s Asia Pacific region, especially China.