Calvin Klein is facing a new chapter after Veronica Leoni's departure as creative director of Calvin Klein Collection was announced on Thursday, 15 October. The American fashion brand has yet to name her replacement, leaving the future of its high-end runway line open to fresh ideas and new leadership.
Leoni joined the brand in May 2024 and helped bring its runway shows back after a long break. Now, the search for a new creative leader raises a key question: who could take charge of Calvin Klein's next era, and what direction might the brand take?
Why Leoni Left
Calvin Klein confirmed Leoni's departure after four collections, ending her time at the brand. According to Fashionista, she stepped down immediately, while the company said her work helped build fresh interest in Calvin Klein Collection.
Her exit comes at a time of change across the fashion world, with other major designers also leaving their roles. Reports on her final collection, shown in September 2026, noted a warmer response from critics after earlier reviews were mixed.
However, Calvin Klein has not said that poor reviews caused her departure. The company has also made clear that Calvin Klein Collection will continue, with new creative leadership to be announced later.
Who Could Take Over?
For now, no list of candidates to replace Leoni at Calvin Klein has been confirmed. Treat any names linked to the job as guesses unless the brand or a trusted fashion news outlet confirms them.
One possible route is to hire a designer who has worked at a major fashion house and knows how to build a clear brand style. Leoni herself brought experience from Jil Sander, Céline, Moncler and The Row before joining Calvin Klein.
Another option is to choose a designer who can balance high-end runway fashion with clothes people want to wear every day. Yet, without an official shortlist or confirmed reports, naming a specific person as the front-runner would be misleading.
The Names To Watch
Seán McGirr is among the designers whose next career move may draw attention after his departure from Alexander McQueen was reported on 15 October 2026. His exit puts him among the designers available for new roles, but no verified report links him to Calvin Klein.
Anthony Vaccarello is another major designer whose departure has added to the industry's changing leadership. He stepped down from Saint Laurent after a decade, according to Reuters, but no reliable report has confirmed him as a candidate for the Calvin Klein job.
These departures make the wider fashion market worth watching, but they do not prove that either designer is in talks with Calvin Klein. The brand may look beyond well-known names and consider designers with a fresh view of American style. Until an announcement is made, both names remain part of the wider industry conversation, not confirmed contenders.
What Calvin Klein Needs
Calvin Klein has a clear style built around simple shapes, clean lines, denim and underwear. Its next creative director will need to protect that identity while giving the Collection line a reason to stand out in today's fashion market.
Leoni's work explored sharp tailoring and a mix of men's and women's style, while her final collection moved towards a more pared-back look. The next designer will need to decide how to build on that work while offering a fresh view of the brand.
The next creative director will also need to help connect the runway line with the wider brand. Calvin Klein is known around the world for its jeans, underwear and celebrity campaigns, so a new creative vision must work alongside those well-known products.
What Happens Next?
Calvin Klein's next move could shape how the brand presents itself in the years ahead. The company has said that Collection remains an important part of its long-term plans, suggesting that the runway line will continue despite Leoni's exit.
There is also a wider business question to consider, as the brand works to keep its fashion image strong while reaching shoppers through its main products. Reports on the company's latest results have pointed to pressure on Calvin Klein sales, adding to the challenges facing the brand.
For now, the biggest question is not which designer will get the job, but what Calvin Klein wants its next chapter to look like. Until the company names a successor, the search remains open, and any claims about a leading candidate should be treated with care.
