Veronica Leoni Steps Down as Creative Director of Calvin Klein Collection

Summary

Veronica Leoni is stepping down as creative director of Calvin Klein Collection after a four-season tenure

Appointed in 2024 to spearhead the revival of the house's runway division Leoni previously held design roles at The Row and Céline

Calvin Klein confirmed that Collection remains central to its long-term strategy and will name a successor in due course

Calvin Klein has officially announced that Creative Director Veronica Leoni will exit Calvin Klein Collection after four seasons. The designer’s departure concludes a two-year tenure leading the American label’s high-end runway revival.

Leoni, an industry veteran with past tenures at The Row and Phoebe Philo’s Céline, was appointed in 2024 to helm the relaunch of Calvin Klein’s pinnacle runway line. The division had previously been shuttered in 2018 following the exit of Raf Simons. Over her four collections, Leoni aimed to re-establish the house’s runway presence and recontextualize its core design codes.

“I want to thank Veronica for her creative vision, commitment and partnership over the past two years,” said David Savman, Global Brand President at Calvin Klein. “Reintroducing Collection was a significant milestone for Calvin Klein, and Veronica’s exceptional talent and fresh perspective on Calvin’s iconic design codes helped build meaningful momentum for Collection.”

While the runway return generated industry dialogue, the line faced mixed critical reception and minimal commercial impact against wider headwinds, with Calvin Klein’s quarterly sales dropping 7% in its most recent earnings report. Parent company PVH affirmed that Leoni’s departure does not mark the conclusion of the line, emphasizing that Collection remains “an important part of Calvin Klein’s long-term strategy and the pinnacle expression of the brand,” with a new creative director to be appointed in due course.