The collaboration between designer Raf Simons and American artist Sterling Ruby has been long and fruitful. The pair first rubbed creative loins back in 2012 (though they knew each other long before) when Raf used one of Ruby’s paintings as the basis for a gown in his debut Haute Couture outing for Christian Dior. In AW14, Raf ditched his own-name label for a season, presenting a paint-splattered, acid wash collection made alongside Ruby and sold under the label Raf Simons/Sterling Ruby. Basically – they go way back.
No surprise then that Raf drafted in Ruby for his Calvin Klein relaunch, commissioning the artist to create the set for his first show – a maze made up of hanging sacks in a patchwork of American flags, alluding to Raf’s transatlantic move and the brand’s very American history. Alongside the set, he also created a number of installations throughout Calvin’s offices on West 39th Street. Now, the pair are at it again, with Ruby giving Calvin’s Madison Avenue store a makeover via a scaffolding-based installation – a nod to the fact the store’s still a work in progress, due to be completely revamped within the next year or so. “I’m taking the Calvin Klein flagship from minimal to maximal,” Ruby said. “My design should be seen as a marker to celebrate the future of the brand.”
“The reimagined Calvin Klein Madison Avenue store concept by Raf Simons and Sterling Ruby is truly a sight to behold,” said Steve Shiffman, chief exec officer of Calvin. “This is a great statement of Raf’s creative vision for the brand, and I’m thrilled to bring this one-of-a-kind retail experience to New York.”
We can’t wait to visit.
