Calvin Klein to return to the runway at New York Fashion Week with Veronica Leoni's debut collection (#1687940)

Calvin Klein has confirmed its plans to return to New York Fashion Week in February, with the brand's debut collection designed by Veronica Leoni, the house revealed on Friday.

The co-ed show will take place in an intimate setting and feature both women's and men's looks. It is scheduled for 12:00 pm on Friday, February 7, 2025. The official dates for the New York runway season are Thursday, February 6 to Tuesday, February 11.

“Calvin Klein is thrilled to return to the global stage at New York Fashion Week and reveal Veronica Leoni's creative vision for the Calvin Klein collection,” Eva Serrano, global president of the Calvin Klein brand, said in a statement.

The show will be Calvin Klein's first runway show since Raf Simons' last collection for the house was presented in Manhattan in 2018.

Although Calvin Klein is the quintessential expression of American fashion minimalism, the Italian-born Leoni has been creating the collection in her historic hometown of Rome, with a new young team she has hired.

Leoni, a finalist for the LVMH Prize 2023 and founder of the fashion brand Quira, brings to Calvin Klein her experience working at many famous fashion brands. These include Jil Sander, Céline, Moncler and The Row.

“Veronica's debut marks a new era of innovation and creativity, embracing a new vision for the brand while honoring its iconic heritage. “We can’t wait to share it with the world,” Serrano added.

Leoni's appointment is an important strategic step for Calvin Klein, which has been adrift as a brand in the absence of a strong designer. Widely regarded as one of the top half-dozen American designers, its founder created an iconic brand during the four decades he led the company after opening it in 1968. After selling it for $730 million to PVH, he was ably succeeded by Francisco Coast. in 2003. He, in turn, was succeeded by Simons, whose tenure ended in considerable rancor.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America reacted with great enthusiasm to the confirmation of the show.

“The return of the Calvin Klein Collection to New York Fashion Week marks a moment for New York and the global fashion industry,” said Steven Kolb, executive director of the CFDA.

“The brand has been an integral part of shaping American fashion, pushing boundaries with their bold vision of minimalism, and we are excited to have them back on the official NYFW calendar and look forward to celebrating the brand's latest chapter,” Kolb added.