The rumor mill kicked into overdrive Tuesday when Calvin Klein Inc. announced some major changes to its current business model.
In order to “unify all Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision,” Francisco Costa, the women’s creative director for Calvin Klein Collection, will be leaving the PVH-owned company. Italo Zucchelli, men’s creative director, will also depart.
The company said the changes are part of a “global evolution in the direction” of Calvin Klein, which began with the reacquisition of its jeans and underwear businesses in 2013, as it seeks to build itself into a $10 billion global retail sales business.
“This creative strategy marks the beginning of another significant chapter in Calvin Klein’s brand legacy since Mr. Klein’s retirement,” CEO Steve Shiffman stated. “I would like to thank Francisco and Italo for their unwavering commitment to the Calvin Klein brand and their accomplishments over the past decade. They have both contributed immensely to making Calvin Klein a global leader in the fashion industry, and they have done so with dedication, focus and creativity.”
The company did not say how or when the creative directors would be replaced.
In addition to its high-end catwalk collections for men and women, the Calvin Klein empire spans a range of product lines manufactured under various licensing agreements and other arrangements, including women’s dresses, suits and performance apparel, men’s dress tailored clothing, men’s and women’s sportswear, golf apparel, jeanswear, underwear, fragrances, eyewear, hosiery, socks, footwear, swimwear, jewelry, watches, outerwear, handbags, small leather goods and home furnishings.
PVH purchased Calvin Klein from its namesake designer in 2003. In the most recent quarter, quarterly revenue increased 21 percent on a constant currency basis from $702.7 million to $806 million, which it said was driven by growth of more than 20 percent in its North American wholesale business, as well as a strong performance in Europe and China.