Calvin Klein, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation [NYSE:  PVH], today announced their plans to present the Fall 2009 men’s Calvin Klein Collection this February 2009 during  New York Fashion Week.
This show will be the first full runway show held in New York City for the men’s brand since it began showing in 1998, on the grounds of the company’s European headquarters in Milan. The brand plans to return to the runway in Milan for future shows, but has confirmed that this season the show will be presented in the ground floor event space at the company’s New York City headquarters at a date to be confirmed later.
Calvin Klein Collection will also plan to hold retail market appointments in Milan in January during men’s fashion week, as the brand realizes the importance of having a presence in the Milanese market in order to meet with our international retail buyers and editors.
In addition to this being the company’s 40th anniversary, this year also marks the year that PVH re-acquired the licensing rights for the Calvin Klein Collection brand and so it was deemed the appropriate time to announce that the runway show would return to New York City. This seasonal move also demonstrates support for the company’s very important U.S. market and exposes the collection to retailers and press who otherwise may not see the collection if it were to be presented in Milan.
Since PVH reacquired the licensing rights to the brand earlier this year, the company has focused on rebuilding the brand at retail. As of Fall 2008, the men's Calvin Klein Collection brand will be available at Galeries Lafayette, Harvey Nichols, El Corte Ingles, La Rinascente, Peek & Cloppenburg, TSUM, and Mitsukoshi, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue in the U.S.

“As this is the year we have brought the Collection business back in house and will celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, we thought this was an appropriate time to change things up a bit,” said Tom Murry, President & COO, Calvin Klein, Inc. “We see this as a great opportunity to support our U.S. business and retail partners and acknowledge our heritage in New York City,”

“I am very excited to show the men’s Collection in New York.

“I could not be more thrilled that Italo and Calvin Klein Collection are coming back to show on the home turf,” said Jim Moore, Creative Director, GQ magazine. “The whole world looks to America for the established stars of style and fashion, as well as great young emerging talents.  When I think of Calvin Klein, I think of modern, timeless design – and what could be more timeless than coming back to New York?”

Said Steven Kolb, Executive Director, Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), “To have Calvin Klein Collection return to New York to show their men's collection reaffirms that American menswear designers are now in the forefront of innovation and are redefining the way men dress.  Italo is an amazing talent and he will be a solid anchor and draw for editors and buyers whose attendance will benefit all designers.”

Additionally, Diane von Furstenberg, President, CFDA said, “It is a bold move, and an exciting one for New York.”

Calvin Klein, Inc. is one of the leading fashion design and marketing studios in the world.  It designs and markets women’s and men’s designer collection apparel and a range of other products that are manufactured and marketed through an extensive network of licensing agreements and other arrangements worldwide.  Brands/lifestyles include Calvin Klein Collection, ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein, and Calvin Klein Jeans.  Product lines under the various Calvin Klein brands include apparel, accessories, shoes, underwear, sleepwear, hosiery, socks, swimwear, eyewear, watches, jewelry, coats, fragrances, and cosmetics, as well as products for the home.

Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation is one of the world's largest apparel companies. It owns and markets the Calvin Klein brand worldwide. It is the world's largest shirt and neckwear company and markets a variety of goods under its own brands, Van Heusen, Calvin Klein, IZOD, ARROW, Bass and G.H. Bass & Co., and its licensed brands, including Geoffrey Beene, Kenneth Cole New York, Kenneth Cole Reaction, unlisted, A Kenneth Cole Production, BCBG Max Azria, BCBG Attitude, MICHAEL Michael Kors, Sean John, Chaps, Donald J. Trump Signature Collection, JOE Joseph Abboud, Tommy Hilfiger, Perry Ellis Portfolio, DKNY and, beginning in Fall 2008, Timberland.

PHOTOS: © 2008 Dan Lecca