October 31, 2017 |
Mario Sorrenti, Kate Moss Jost Van Dyke, 1993
Long before images ‘broke the internet’ or reached superficial viral stardom, Calvin Klein produced some of the very best, and most enduring, in fashion history. Sure, it began with a 15-year-old Brooke Shields’ assertion that nothing comes between her and her Calvins, but since, all the way until Mr Klein exited his namesake brand in 2004, he not only held an unwavering grip on our fashion revery and fantasies, but defined and moulded them via a catalogue of imagery, shot by the industry’s most iconic photographers. This, unbelievably is the man himself’s first ever book, a testament to one of fashion’s first minimalist masters, who pushed the commercial boundaries of nudity, sex and eroticism. Little surprise therefore, that the 463-page book was whittled down from 40,000 images, or that it took three years to produce – that’s a whole lot of iconic to sift through.
As far as barometers of success were concerned – Klein’s campaign enjoyed somewhat of a full house; his Brooke Shields campaign was banned by both ABC and CBS following it’s 1981 release, and his later 1995 Steven Meisel-shot denim campaign would be publicly denounced by Bill Clinton and even investigated by the Justice Department. Fair to say, he appreciated the power of provocative imagery and knew how to ruffle a feather or two. Now, scroll to your heart’s content through a selection of photographs taken from the new publication, a selection, mind you, which includes some of the most seminal, sexually charged and brilliant photographs seen in fashion. Enjoy.
Calvin Klein, by Calvin Klein, published by Rizzoli, is out now.
Bruce Weber, Tom Hintnaus, 1982
David Sims, Kate Moss, 1993
Irving Penn, Lisa Taylor and Patti Hansen, 1997
Patrick Demarchelier, Kristen McMenamy, 1993
Bruce Weber, Christy Turlington Virginia Islands, 1989
Bruce Weber, Calvin Klein Abiquu, 1984
