Will things calm down at Calvin Klein in 2020?
Following a tumultuous 2019, things haven’t completely settled down at Calvin Klein Inc., which exited the Collection business and has seen a lot of turnover in its marketing, digital and media ranks. Under the leadership of Cheryl Abel-Hodges, chief executive officer, the company is still seeking a creative lead to oversee all Calvin Klein product categories. In addition, sources said the company looks to hire a chief marketing officer, who would succeed former chief marketing officer Marie Gulin-Merle, who stepped down last October to join Google.
In recent months several digital, marketing and media executives have exited Calvin Klein for new roles at companies such as Bergdorf Goodman, ThirdLove, Apple, and Kate Spade.
The company continues to embark on its digital-first, consumer-centric strategy.
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CKI, which no longer operates a “halo” business, manufactures men’s and women’s jeans, sportswear, swim and performance categories for distribution outside of North America (including EMEA and Asia Pacific), in addition to Calvin Klein Underwear, which it produces for global distribution. In North America, the lion’s share of Calvin Klein’s merchandise is produced by G-III Apparel Group. Last year, Calvin Klein women’s jeans were licensed to G-III, which also makes Klein’s ready-to-wear (women’s and men’s), performance line, accessories (women’s and men’s), dresses, outerwear (women’s and men’s) and swimwear (women’s and men’s) for North American distribution.
Over at PVH, parent company of CKI, Stefan Larsson, president of PVH, continues to learn the ropes with the eventual goal of becoming ceo. Since joining last June, he and Emanuel Chirico, chairman and ceo, have been working together on the various business segments at PVH. Chirico signed a five-year contract at the time of Larsson’s hiring, and Larsson reports to him.
Larsson is responsible for managing PVH’s branded businesses and regions, with each of the three brand ceo’s and the regional presidents reporting to him.
Prior to joining PVH, Larsson was ceo of Ralph Lauren Corp., where he implemented the Way Forward plan aimed at turning around the business. There, he improved Lauren’s performance and set the path for future growth, but ended up clashing with Ralph Lauren over creative differences.
Neither Larsson nor Chirico was available to comment for this story.
Corporate responsibility and sustainability continue to be a hallmark at PVH. Chirico recently said companies need to set targets to establish environmental, social and governance targets for the long term and they have to be willing to report against them in a transparent way on an annual basis.
As reported, PVH has contributed $1 million toward a new partnership with the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University to establish a leading academic hub for the study of corporate responsibility and sustainability.
This March, PVH will celebrate 100 years on the New York Stock Exchange. It is one of only 30 companies to reach this milestone and the only apparel company to do so.
Meantime, Tommy Hilfiger, another division of PVH, plans to show its fourth Tommy x Lewis collaboration with race car driver Louis Hamilton, alongside the spring 2020 Hilfiger Collection for women and men, at the Tanks at Tate Modern in London on Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. GMT during London Fashion Week. Hilfiger’s highly successful collaborations with Gigi Hadid and Zendaya, which began in 2016, have ended. This spring’s TommyNow fashion show will spotlight sustainable innovation and recycled materials.