Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli Leave Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein Collection creative directors Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli are leaving the company as part of a new global creative strategy to unify all Calvin Klein brands under one creative vision.

Announced via email today, the decision “marks the beginning of another significant chapter in Calvin Klein’s brand legacy since Mr Klein’s retirement,” said Steve Shiffman, CEO of Calvin Klein Inc. “I would like to thank Francisco and Italo for their unwavering commitment to the Calvin Klein brand and their accomplishments over the past decade. They have both contributed immensely to making Calvin Klein a global leader in the fashion industry, and they have done so with dedication, focus and creativity.”

Business of Fashion reports that this latest move paves the way for Raf Simons, who since leaving his role as creative director of Christian Dior women’s in October 2015, is widely slated to join Calvin Klein in a creative capacity.

Acquired in 2003 by PVH, Calvin Klein’s businesses include ck Calvin Klein, Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein under the purview of global director Kevin Carrigan. Beauty products manufacturer Coty owns the license for Calvin Klein fragrances. Under the new global creative strategy, according to the statement, all categories of the businesses will be put under one creative control.

Costa was a former design assistant at Gucci under Tom Ford before joining Calvin Klein in 2001, and was appointed creative director of the women’s collection in 2003 following founder Calvin Klein’s retirement. Zucchelli was promoted to creative director of menswear in 2004. He previously worked in menswear for Jil Sander.