The Raf Simons Redesign of Calvin Klein's Flagship Store Is Pure Art

This past weekend, Calvin Klein's Madison Avenue flagship location officially reopened. Boasting a refreshing new layout and design, this storefront helps to mark the launch of Chief Creative Officer Raf Simons' first collection since joining the brand around a year ago.

To celebrate the debut of Simons' Fall 2017 collection, "CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC," the store has been temporarily remodeled from floor to ceiling under the creative direction of artist, and past Simons collaborator, Sterling Ruby. Ruby took the original design of architect John Pawson, and flipped it into a space reminiscent of a construction scene. Scaffolding can be seen throughout the space, which is covered by a coat of bright yellow paint to symbolize caution tape and traffic signs. Red benches are scattered on the floor, and textiles and patchwork quilts hang from the ceiling to add a bit of contrast as well. "I'm taking the Calvin Klein flagship store from minimal to maximal; my design should be seen as a marker to celebrate the future of the brand," said Ruby. 

The flagship will be carrying the Fall 2017 collection, "CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC," as well as other new collections from the brand: Calvin Klein Jeans Established 1978 and Calvin Klein Underwear 205W39NYC.

"I wanted the store to generate a very immediate physical appearance that could as well be intimately connected to the collections," said Simons. 

This new storefront marks Calvin Klein's step in a new direction under Simons, and the construction theme adds to the temporary feeling of the storefront, which is scheduled to undergo a permanent remodeling in the near future. Simons also recently presented the Spring 2018 collection of his eponymous label under the Manhattan Bridge at New York Fashion Week: Men's.