Calvin Klein Announces Multi-Year Collab with the Andy Warhol Foundation
Calvin Klein has announced its exciting new partnership with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, which will last through 2020.
For the first time ever, the foundation is granting the American fashion brand unlimited access to the complete oeuvre of the Pope of Pop. Anything from Warhol’s iconic celebrity portraits to his controversial screen-prints will soon make their appearance across the Calvin Klein universe — unpublished rarities included.
The news should come as no surprise. After all, we did get a taste of the collaboration back in September, when Creative Chief Officer Raf Simons unveiled the Calvin Klein 205W39NYC Spring 2018 collection at New York Fashion Week.
Recall the airy nightgowns stamped with monochromatic prints from Warhol’s Death and Disaster Series, or the tank tops emblazoned with the artist’s portraits of Sandra Brant and Dennis Hopper: all artworks featured were courtesy of none other than The Andy Warhol Foundation.
It’s no secret that Simons himself is an ardent admirer of the Pop Art master. For his first Calvin Klein campaign, models posed in the label’s signature underwear and jeans while pondering the works of famous American artists, including Warhol. The Belgian designer also cites the artist as an influence when exploring the American identity that lies at the heart of Calvin Klein.
“I’ve come to realize that Warhol’s genius goes much deeper than cheerful Campbell’s Soup paintings. He captured all sides of the American experience, including sometimes its darker sides. Warhol’s art tells more truths about this country than you can find almost anywhere else.” – Raf Simons
Simons is not the only one who feels that way about Warhol. In the 1970s, Calvin Klein himself had befriended the artist out of their shared vision of a new American essence. Now, thanks to Simons, the relationship between two of New York's creative pioneers has been renewed with the new collaboration.
