Calvin Klein to shut down collections business

By

Gabriella Lacombe

Published
Mar 7, 2019

Calvin Klein is bringing an end to its collections business, cutting the 205W39NYC line started in 2017 under former creative director Raf Simons despite previously announced plans for a rebrand. 

As a result, the PVH-owned brand cut about 100 employees from its New York office and Milan offices, including Michelle Kessler-Sanders, president of Calvin Klein 205W39NYC. Kessier-Sanders will stay with the company until June, according to American media reports.

A Calvin Klein spokeswoman told Bloomberg that the label is “not walking away” from the upscale fashion category, but is instead looking for a new design director fit to manage the creative aspects of Calvin Klein’s business.

The premium line, which launched after Simons joined the brand in 2016, hosted runway shows and offered high-end designs with price tags to match.

During his time at the label, Simons oversaw design at both the high-end collection and Calvin Klein's commercial label, in addition to marketing. The designer left the label amicably in December of 2018, with Calvin Klein spokespeople citing creative differences.