After a six-year hiatus, Calvin Klein made a triumphant return to New York Fashion Week with its Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection, marking the debut of Veronica Leoni as the brand’s first female creative director. The show, held at the brand’s Manhattan headquarters, was a celebration of the label’s iconic minimalist heritage infused with contemporary sensibilities.
Leoni, known for her tenure at minimalist powerhouses like Jil Sander, The Row, and Celine, presented a collection that paid homage to Calvin Klein’s 1990s roots while introducing fresh perspectives. The runway featured a palette dominated by blacks, grays, and whites, punctuated by unexpected bursts of color in pieces like a rose-pink, form-fitting off-the-shoulder dress and a flowing tomato-red gown. Tailoring was a focal point, with sharp skirt suits, oversized scarf coats reminiscent of Klein’s 1990 show, and shrunken sweaters layered over crisp shirts, evoking a modern yet nostalgic aesthetic.
A notable highlight was the transformation of the iconic CK One perfume bottle into a chic evening clutch, a nod to Leoni’s personal connection to the fragrance from the 1990s. This playful yet sophisticated accessory encapsulated the collection’s blend of reverence for the brand’s history and forward-thinking design.
The front row was a testament to the brand’s enduring influence, with appearances by original 1990s supermodels Kate Moss and Christy Turlington, as well as Calvin Klein himself. Their presence underscored the collection’s deep connection to the brand’s storied past while signaling a new era under Leoni’s direction.
Leoni described her vision as an exploration of a “24/7 kind of wardrobe,” emphasizing versatility and empowerment. The collection seamlessly blended casual American tastes with the technical precision of tailoring, resulting in pieces that are both wearable and aspirational.
In summary, Calvin Klein’s Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear collection marked a significant and successful return to the runway, honoring its minimalist heritage while embracing contemporary design under Veronica Leoni’s innovative leadership.