Calvin Klein's Francisco Costa is the next major designer who will collaborate with the retail giant on a limited-edition range. He follows in the footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, Matthew Williamson, Giambattista Valli and many others.
A small collection of crepe and jersey dresses will be priced between $135 to $180, the range will be available in 80 Macy's stores as well through the company's website from May 15.
Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa will release a line of dresses for Macy's
It will be the first time Costa has collaborated with a national retailer, let alone design for a low-cost shopping audience. The range will fall into their highest price point. The designs will be part of a large spring promotional campaign by Macy’s called A Magical Journey To Brasil, and will aim to raise funds to benefit the Amazon rainforest.
Interestingly, Macy’s has said further designers have also been confirmed for the promotion. Although only Costa’s name has been released so far.
Sketches show two of the Brazilian designer’s dresses, one depicting a form-fitting halter-neck maxi dress and the other a sleeveless shift dress.
Calvin Klein's Francisco CostAll designs have been inspired by ‘the architecture in Brazil and the sunset on the horizon,’ according to the man himself.
They will be sold under the official Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein label and judging by the sketches, they will also remain in line with the designer’s famed minimalistic work for the American fashion house.
Costa told WWD: ‘This fresh, youthful line of dresses reflects both my roots and the modern, yet timeless spirit of Calvin Klein.’
Martine Reardon, Macy’s Inc’s executive vice-president of marketing said the designer’s inclusion is ‘a massive coup for us.’ ‘We obviously have a huge distribution of Calvin Klein products but we do not carry the [designer] collection that Francisco creates. 'Unfortunately, those price points are not within Macy’s price points.’
Costa’s elegant designs have appeared on a string of celebrity It girls including Rooney Mara and Emma Stone, who also attended the Fall 2012 Calvin Klein collection show during New York Fashion Week.
Renowned for his sophisticated approach to minimalistic design, the designer began working for the fashion house in 2001. At the time, there had been a lot of hype surrounding Costa.
Brilliant: Calvin Klein Collection, designed by Francisco Costa, at New York Fashion Week in February
His name was even thrown into the ring to replace Tom Ford when he retired from his top role at Gucci. Costa had joined Calvin Klein after a stint as Ford's assistant.
His talent for unfussy design led him to a significant promotion in 2003, when he became the head of women's wear for Calvin Klein.
