Raf Simons Introduces Couture for the People With Calvin Klein By Appointment

Here’s (yet another) reason to worship at the altar of Raf Simons: In his first major act as Chief Creative Officer of Calvin Klein, the lauded Belgian designer is bringing couture to the people. On Sunday morning, Calvin Klein quietly unveiled its first Raf-helmed collection, entitled Calvin Klein By Appointment 1-14, via social media. As the name implies, Calvin Klein By Appointment is more than a line of red carpet-ready pieces. It’s a service.

Starting April 1, Calvin Klein’s NYC atelier will open its doors to the unwashed masses, offering a “no longer solely for celebrities” made-to-measure service. Normals like ourselves will have access to handcrafted, bespoke pieces from the Calvin Klein By Appointment line. It’s every Raf and Calvin addict’s dream.

“Calvin Klein By Appointment 1-14 is very much about celebrating the American woman and American fashion,” said Simons in a statement. The collection, which currently consists of 14 looks, “is driven by character; it’s about a woman feeling empowered and being her own person in what she wears,” explained Calvin Klein Creative Director Pieter Mulier.

In designing the line, Raf drew inspiration from a century’s worth of American fashion. “20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, Now: Decades of American fashion are conflated and paid homage to for CKBA 1-14,” states the brand’s site. It appears Raf’s Dior Haute Couture days also had some bearing on the collection (feathers and voluminous tulle skirts make an appearance).

The line heralds a new, more fashion-forward era of Calvin Klein. In typical Raf form, the pieces are sophisticated, effortlessly cool and a little tongue-in-cheek. A red, yellow and burgundy beaded top serves major majorette vibes. Youthful V-suspenders branch out of sexy, high-waist fringed shorts.

To promo his effortlessly cool looks, Raf rounded up a set of effortlessly cool models. The Willy Vanderperre-lensed campaign stars Millie Bobby Brown, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Kiki Willems, Lineisy Montero, Jamie Bochert, Julia Nobis and more. “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,” wrote the brand on Instagram. (Democratic fashion FTW.) And lest we forget these are Calvin Klein promos, each of Raf’s looks is presented next to a pair of the brand’s classic white briefs. The message is clear: While the CKBA 1-14 designs are more Raf than Calvin, this is Raf pledging his allegiance to the brand’s iconic roots.

Check out the full line in the slideshow below and join us in counting down the days til Raf’s February 10 Calvin Klein runway debut.

Images: Willy Vanderperre for Calvin Klein

[ via WWD ]