'Blown Out of Proportion Like Crazy' Calvin Klein Creative Director Responds to Plus Size Controversy
Calvin Klein Spring 2015 presentation. Photo Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com
Handsome models lounging by a makeshift pool, girls sporting athleisure attire pretending to pump iron, and plenty exposed of skin. It was another typical eye-catching presentation at Calvin Klein HQ on Tuesday morning.
Global Creative Director Kevin Carrigan equates the Spring 2015 collection to a relaxed L.A. moment featuring high performance sportswear. “Waking up, going to the gym, grabbing a green juice,” he tells Yahoo Style. He also points out that his inspiration board was filled with tear sheets of boxers (hence the enhanced all-caps logo on the elastic waistband of the exposed underwear). “It’s sexy, but about a real comfort and freedom,” says Carrigan showing how he reinterpreted mesh three separate ways including a one-piece swimsuit, underwear briefs, and a darling knee-length dress. Slouchy parkas and feather-light denim pants rounded out the offering.
Calvin Klein Spring 2015 presentation. Photo Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com
Of course with all of the glamour (and flesh) on display, one had to wonder if it could all translate to the everywoman? Just yesterday, the company found itself in a swirl of controversy after a tweet from Elle ("The newest plus-size model on why her body isn’t a trend," featuring size 10 model Myla Dalbesio) caused the Internet to erupt. Dalbesio, who stars in the brand’s “Perfectly Fit” campaign, which has been out for at least 8 weeks, has responded to the uproar gracefully. “I love that by opening this discussion, I can also (hopefully) open some doors for other models, friends of mine, that have always straddled the line between straight size and plus,” she told Elle. “True body diversity doesn’t mean only sizes 0’s and 2’s then jumping to size 16 and up. There is a middle ground.”
“This has all been blown out of proportion like crazy,” concurs Carrigan. “Myla’s beautiful and the campaign is a celebration of the diversity of women. We cast her because she’s sexy. We also cast Lara Stone who is curvaceous and beautiful. That’s Calvin. It’s always about casting women who are confident and sexy. She walked in, we loved her. And that’s it. It made sense.”
As for the lack of “in-between” (as Dalbesio likes to call herself) or plus size models on display? Would Myla ever make the cut? “Yes, of course,” says Carrigan. Maybe next season?
Kevin Carrigan and models. Photo Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com