American fashion label Calvin Klein announced Wednesday it is closing its high-end runway division as part of a restructuring by parent company PVH.
"I can confirm that the Calvin Klein 205W39NYC business is closing," the company told AFP. PVH brought in Belgian designer Raf Simons from Dior in 2016 to revitalize the brand, which had stagnated since the departure of its namesake New Yorker founder in 2002.
Dubbed "chief creative officer," he had vast powers as he was charged with boosting profits of the brand's high-end collection. But Simons' departure was announced in December following weeks of uncertainty, after a PVH manager apportioned him some of the blame for declining sales.