Calvin Klein and Andy Warhol Foundation Announce Multi-Year Partnership

Calvin Klein has entered into a multi-year collaboration with The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, granting the fashion house unprecedented access to Warhol's works, including previously unseen pieces. The partnership, announced in December 2017, will see Calvin Klein support the foundation's grants for contemporary visual arts through 2020. The first result debuted in September 2017 at the Spring 2018 runway show of Calvin Klein's 205W39NYC line, designed by Raf Simons. The collection features Warhol's silkscreens on garments, including portraits of Sandra Brant (1971) and Dennis Hopper (1971), as well as works from the Death and Disaster series: Knives (1981–82), Electric Chair (1964–65), and Ambulance Disaster (1963–64). Items are also produced under license in collaboration with Hopper Goods, a brand inspired by Dennis Hopper. Raf Simons stated, 'I realized that Warhol's genius goes deeper than the vivid paintings of Campbell's soup cans. He portrayed all aspects of the American experience, sometimes including its darker sides.' Steve Shiffman, CEO of Calvin Klein, Inc., expressed pride that the licensing agreement continues Calvin Klein's long-standing commitment to celebrating American artists. The relationship between Warhol and Calvin Klein dates back to the 1970s, when Warhol befriended a new generation of New York designers, including Klein, who aimed to give his creations a distinctly American imprint.