Vans was also thrown into the mix for the “CALVANS” sneakers.
After priming their audience for a big reveal on Instagram, Palace Skateboards has launched their collaboration with Calvin Klein.
The collection, “a love letter to the West End and the American dream,” marries Palace’s streetwear aesthetic and Calvin Klein’s classic color palette of black, white, and gray. Other than apparel, the two brands have released a new CK ONE fragrance, a skateboard, and an extra brand to the mix for sneakers.
READ ALSO: Forging Ties: Dior Is Presenting Its Pre-Fall 2022 In Seoul’s Ewha Woman’s University
Vans worked with the brands for “CALVANS,” a new iteration of their Classic Slip-On.
Weird idea
Although there hasn’t been a shortage of fashion collaborations in recent years (it’s hard to think of a partnership that would surprise us after #Fendace, the Gucci x Balenciaga hack, Tiffany & Co. x Supreme, Virgil Abloh and Mercedes’ S-Class—the list can go on), Palace’s founder Lev Tanju thought teaming up with Calvin Klein was “weird” enough to stand out.
Tanju told Vogue that while an established brand like the 54-year-old Calvin Klein may not mix with his indie skate house, Tanju still made the pitch when he discovered its chief global merchant Jacob Jordan “was a skater and cool” while on a call with him.
Following Tanju’s idea, he considered out of the ordinary came the campaign, which you can describe the same way. Shot and directed by prolific photographer Alasdair McLellan, the promotional movie was filmed in New York (where CK is based) and London (where Palace is based).
New York meets London
Dynasty’s Dame Joan Collins, pop-duo The Pet Shop Boys, fashion model Adwoa Aboah, and rapper Unknown T represented the Brits. On the New York corner were actor Willem Dafoe, the first Black curve model to appear on Vogue Precious Lee, and Madonna’s daughter Lola Leon.
“I grew up admiring the iconic Calvin Klein campaigns of the early ’90s for their simplicity and their forward-thinking depiction of fashion that appealed to everyone,” Tanju said in a statement upon launching the collection.
“It was so visually impactful: the casting, the energy, it really remains unmatched. From the first call with the Calvin team, I knew there was so much we could do. This collaboration has grown organically, and I’m proud of everything we’ve created together.”
The collection is now available on Palace and Calvin Klein’s websites.
Banner photo from @palaceskateboards in Instagram.
