Veronica Leoni Exits Calvin Klein
Veronica Leoni
Calvin Klein and Veronica Leoni are parting ways, marking the end of the designer’s tenure as creative director of Calvin Klein Collection. The company confirmed that their partnership will conclude when Leoni’s current contract expires, adding that an announcement regarding her successor will be made in due course.
“I want to thank Veronica for her creative vision, commitment and partnership over the past two years,” said David Savman, global brand president of Calvin Klein. He described the relaunch of Collection as a significant milestone for the brand, crediting Leoni’s talent and interpretation of its signature design codes with helping to build momentum for the luxury line.
Born in Rome, Leoni joined Calvin Klein in May 2024, bringing renewed attention to a collection that had been absent from the runway for several years. Her debut was presented in February 2025 for the fall 2025 season, following the departure of Raf Simons in 2018. Her appointment was also historic, making her the first woman to lead the creative direction of Calvin Klein Collection.
The debut presentation attracted considerable attention, with founder Calvin Klein himself attending alongside Kelly Klein, Kate Moss and Christy Turlington. The collection marked the beginning of a new chapter for the American fashion house as it sought to reconnect its luxury offering with the minimalist aesthetic that helped define its legacy.
Although Leoni’s first collection received mixed reactions, her subsequent work appeared to gain traction. The spring 2026 collection earned praise from some fashion editors, while her spring 2027 offering demonstrated a more refined approach to fabric, construction and silhouette. The collection drew heavily from Calvin Klein’s influential 1990s sportswear and minimalist archives, presenting a more developed interpretation of the house’s heritage.
The brand also experienced a significant boost in digital attention. According to social analytics firm ListenFirst, Calvin Klein ranked first in social engagement during New York Fashion Week for the spring 2027 season, generating a score of 15.3 million. That represented a 552 percent increase compared with the previous February’s show.
Despite the growing attention surrounding the collection, speculation had circulated for months that Leoni’s contract might not be renewed. Calvin Klein credited the designer with helping restore Collection to the runway, strengthening its visibility and generating increased cultural relevance across four shows. The company reiterated that Collection remains a central component of its long-term strategy and the highest expression of the brand.
Leoni’s departure also brings attention to her work beyond Calvin Klein. In 2021, she founded her independent label, Quira, which earned critical recognition and was named a finalist for the 2023 LVMH Prize. Her professional background includes positions at Jil Sander, Céline and Moncler, as well as serving as womenswear and menswear design director at The Row while continuing to develop her own label.
The leadership change comes as Calvin Klein navigates a challenging business environment. Parent company PVH Corp. reported that Calvin Klein revenue declined 7 percent to $913.3 million in the second quarter ended August 2, with approximately 4 percent of the decrease attributed to the timing of wholesale shipments in the Americas shifting into the second half.
Across categories including underwear, denim, apparel, accessories, home and fragrance, Calvin Klein generated approximately $9 billion in global retail sales in 2025.
As the company prepares to appoint new creative leadership, the future direction of Calvin Klein Collection remains to be seen. Leoni’s tenure brought the luxury line back into the fashion conversation, renewed its runway presence and offered a fresh interpretation of the brand’s established design language. The next chapter will determine how Calvin Klein builds on that momentum while continuing to evolve its luxury identity.
Photo: Venetia Scott, Vogue, August 2025
