The origins of the Denim Jacket are not only very humble but very simple, originally created for the workplace; it formed part of the overall denim uniform that was rugged and durable for the manual worker of the 18th Century. In the late 1800s, it began to become more of a part of general clothing and it became a serious part of fashion attire thanks to companies like Levi Strauss. The company began seeing success with denim jackets in the early 1900’s and never looked back.
However, although not really changing a great deal over time regarding its overall design, the denim jacket is a cultural icon and has played a key role in the overall look of many sub cultures since its conception. Whether it be the western cowboy look which is never-endingly begin interpreted and reinterpreted by brands as a source of inspiration. The British Skinhead following of the 1970’s or the Hell’s Angels Rock inspired movement. The Americana image of the 1950’s Double denim rebel made famous by James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause” or staying with the American influence of their Redneck brethren.
Virtually every brand on the planet today gives their take on this piece of clothing from TOPSHOP and GAP, to the daddy of Denim Levi’s and Wrangler, right the way through to Ralph Lauren and of course Calvin Klein. Many of these brands have produced unforgettable and zeitgeist advertising campaigns including Nick Kamen taking off his 501’s in the laundrette, Leigh Bowery asking, “Where’s Pepe ?” Lee’s “Jeans that built America”. But my personal favourite has to be a beautiful and rather young Brooke Shields, pondering,”You want to know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” This not only sent people running out to buy denim in their droves but it made Jeans SEXY !
Since this moment Calvin Klein Jeans have been knocking it out of the ball park when it comes to marketing denim, not only using Brooke Shields, but Marky Mark Wahlberg accompanied by an early appearance by Ms Kate Moss. Jamie Dornan, pre his Serial Killer tendencies in “The Fall” or even being a little too controversial and having their Ad campaign banned altogether, which only added fuel to the fire of their desirability.
Calvin Klein Jeans continue to rework the sense of structure to their traditional denim jacket and shirts. The garment’s authentic details and aesthetic features with a mixture of shapes and colours.
As the legendary campaign approaches its 25th anniversary, the House of Calvin Klein finds itself with a new, Chief Creative Officer, in the shape of Belgian design phenomena, RAF SIMONS.
As part of the campaign to promote this fragrance OBSESSED utilises never before seen imagery from that time and personal biography to further explore and evoke the idea of memory, past love and present iconography. As the first fragrance formulated and promoted under RAF SIMONS as Chief Creative Officer of CALVIN KLEIN, OBSESSED can be seen as a celebration of CALVIN KLEIN fragrances past, present and future. OBSESSED is about how memory, the sensual and the visual intertwine today.
The collection offers a look that is elevated and tailored. Three and two-button jackets with soft constructions are paired with boat neck sweaters and tapered ankle cropped pants. For outerwear, a covetable camel wool/cashmere slim top coat, or a roomy, fleck-speckled pressed tweed balmacaan. A dark damson wool jacket over a black turtleneck sweater and black pants; or a Bordeaux iridescent weave nylon parka with neoprene trimmed hood, worn with a boat neck merino sweater and cropped black pants — both add graphic color to the season’s muted palette. Head-to-toe black styling, as in a quilted leather bomber jacket, turtleneck and flannel pant, presents a modern, city aesthetic. Alternatively, a pared down pale grey wool cashmere shaker sweater and flannel cropped pants introduces an element of ease.
