Calvin Klein by Francisco Costa : Softer & Gentler Calvin Klein
By Mari Davis & Heide Winkenwerder
Photos by Javier Mateo

DALLAS & LOS ANGELES, Feb 21, 2004/ FW/ --- Last week in New York, Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein used a mixture of soft, thin fabrics of silk, charmeuse, chiffon, gauzy mohair and cashmere along with the bulkier wool felt, shearling and ponyskin giving a feeling of a softer and gentler Calvin Klein look.

Sticking to the house’s minimalist look with an underlying sensuality, there were no embellishments nor decorations, just masterful draping and decisive cuts – the hallmarks of Calvin Klein.

Color palette included ivory cream, soft brown, blue and peach as well as your typical black. Flowing silk dresses in mid-calf length and plenty of skin to show from the low necklines (ultra low V-neck in the front and back), thigh-high slits and loose self-belted jackets seemed more fitting for a spring show unless a tropical setting is what you have in mind next fall/winter season and why not a warmer locale.

Although the soft flowing pieces seemed a little out of the element, then the oversize black motorcycle type jacket of ponyskin and felt could very easily camouflage the softer pieces to fit the season and weather that New York offers during the months in question as well as the short black wool jacket.

Overall, it was a very beautiful collection, and Francisco Costa showed he had finally found his footing. But it lacked the electric energy that was seen in Milan, when Italo Zucchelli, menswear designer for Calvin Klein showed his Fall 2004 collection.

Though there are two very different facets of the House of Calvin Klein, it is very hard not to compare.

Calvin Klein by Francisco Costa

Calvin Klein by Francisco Costa

Calvin Klein by Francisco Costa