Why London And Calvin Klein Are A Perfect Match

Calvin Klein Jeans may be firmly woven into American fashion DNA, but its global creative director, Kevin Carrigan, says that it will always have a special place in its heart for London. The brand - whose name became one of fashion's most well-known following its now legendary campaign shots of Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg in 1991 - reopened its Regent Street store earlier this week, complete with a new interior décor to reflect the label's global shop concept.

"London is one of the coolest fashion cities and there are so many stylish people from all over the world passing through," Carrigan told us. "I also think that British women understand Calvin's pared-down effortless style. On a personal note, being British, it is a dream to have a store on Regent Street."

The space features dramatic angular windows, large-format videos playing the brand's new campaign film starring Alexander Skarsgård, and an updated denim bar which takes centre stage in the middle of the space. Carrigan hopes that the redesign will attract a new customer.

Calvin Klein

"With the redesign of the store, we want to bring a sense of warm minimalism with a cool New York edge," he explained. "Our recent event with the amazing Rita Ora - who was featured in the most recent ck one jeans, underwear and fragrance global ad campaign - attracted a new generation. It was a fun event with a really cool, youthful and stylish crowd."

Relevance is one of Carrigan's buzz words and something he believes is integral in developing the brand as he focuses on bringing about an "evolution rather than a revolution". And who does he believe best embodies the spirit of his "iconic American modernist dream"?

"I am particularly taken by British model Eliza Cummings - who also participated in the most recent ck one global ad campaign," he said. "From her turn in that campaign, to when I saw her last month in Milan, she is always so cool, spirited and fearless. She has a boyish Calvin look but is also stunningly beautiful. She is a girl of our times."