After four seasons, Veronica Leoni leaves Calvin Klein Collection
The Italian designer revived Calvin Klein's runway line in 2024 after a long hiatus. Her contract is ending and no successor has been named yet.
Photo: David Long from London, United Kingdom / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (cropped and resized)
Video: YouTube · Calvin Klein · youtube.com
Veronica Leoni is stepping down as creative director of Calvin Klein Collection. Parent company PVH said on 15 October that the designer will leave when her current contract ends. Leoni joined in May 2024 as the brand's first female creative director, tasked with reviving the runway line that had been on hiatus since Raf Simons left in 2018. After four seasons, a new creative structure will be announced “in due course”. PVH stressed that Collection remains an important part of its long-term strategy.
“I want to thank Veronica for her creative vision, commitment, and partnership over the past two years,” said David Savman, Calvin Klein's global brand president. Leoni previously worked at Jil Sander, Céline, Moncler and The Row, and in 2020 launched her own label, Quira, which she paused for the Calvin Klein role. Her first collection received mixed reviews, while her spring 2026 show was better received. On the same day, Seán McGirr announced his departure from McQueen.
Leoni showed her final collection, for spring/summer 2027, in September in a bare 19th-century warehouse in Chelsea, decorated only with an installation by Walter De Maria. “Take everything away,” she said of her approach – what should remain is “desire”. The looks included narrow tailoring, low-slung trousers, organza slip skirts, washed-out denim and a suit without buttons. W Magazine said she seemed to have finally hit her stride. The video can be watched on Calvin Klein's official YouTube channel.