Interview with Kevin Carrigan, Creative Director,
Ck Calvin Klein

When less is more

During his recent visit to India Kevin Carrigan, creative director, ck Calvin Klein & Calvin Klein spoke to Udita Jhunjhunwala

Creative director ck Calvin Klein & Calvin Klein, Kevin Carrigan certainly personifies the label's ethos -- that less is more. Carrigan visited Mumbai recently to officially launch the American brand in India and certainly made the most of his limited time here.

On launching in India

The Indian economy is a powerhouse for growth and we have been lucky to find the right partners in the Murjani Group. To be viable, we needed to have the production and distribution set up in place; the right locations for the stores and the right partner. I visited many times from 1985 to 1995 as a fashion student and was very interested in the costumes, textiles, colours and history of India and South Asia .

On partnering with the Murjani Group

Their history with Gloria Vanderbilt and Tommy Hilfiger and their experience and understanding of distribution makes them ideal partners. CK Inc always prioritizes finding partners who are experts. We bring the design expertise and we seek associates with strong distribution experience and this makes the best marriage.

On learning from Calvin Klein

People like Calvin Klein, Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent are all designers with a vision who have stuck it out over 30 years. I am lucky to have worked with Calvin Klein and now taken the reigns of his company to take it forward. He was a great editor, with amazing charisma, passion and energy. He attracted creative, likeminded people, always listened and looked out for what was new. He taught me to answer the question ‘what is the one design you really believe in'. I still find it a challenge to pair down designs.

On CK's design aesthetic

Calvin Klein designs are sexy, provocative, sensual and steeped in modernism. It is the quintessential American brand but with a strong global identity. We are not retro designers, but in the present and the future, capturing the youth culture of the time. In the spring summer 07 collection we have brought in a softness, a washed feel to the collection. Indigos, blues and whites are the primary colours. The women's collection conveys femininity and romanticism. I have tried to create a look for the clean, modern hippy. We focus on the minimal, simple and clean look.

On his personal style

I think it I my Enlish formalness but I love tailored jackets, and I like mixing them with jeans – pairing the high and the low, casual with formal. You will always see me in graphic tonal shades like black, grey and white.