Vol. 10 "Luxurious Printed T-Shirts" CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC | Calvin Klein 205W39NYC

The "LBPT" that Editor Demon King is apparently obsessed with… Is it cool internet slang? Or perhaps the filling of a sandwich? No, it simply means “Luxury Brand Print T-shirt.” My fascination began about half a year ago, in Paris, France…

Direction by SUKEZANE TomokiPhotographs by YAMAGUCHI KenichiStyling by KAWAI KohtaText by HATAKEYAMA SatokoGrooming by ODAI TokyoModel ARISAKA Sodai

CALVIN KLEIN 205W39NYC

Yusuke“In the 2017 fashion scene, no brand garnered more attention or became more of a focal point than Calvin Klein under Raf Simons. When I actually got my hands on the first collection, bought it, and wore it, I found it to be quite good. As it’s a brand that built an era with its underwear, they excel at handling jerseys and cut-and-sew items, and it feels like Raf, understanding the brand’s DNA, is skillfully directing it.”

“Raf is fundamentally a designer who creates structured, slim-silhouette clothing that can be perceived as ‘difficult to wear.’ However, by teaming up with Calvin Klein, known for its expertise in cut-and-sew, even items with narrow sleeves or necklines become comfortable to wear, significantly enhancing the comfort. Previously, these kinds of short-sleeved, striped cut-and-sew shirts tended to have a sporty, athletic brand feel. The fact that this has been refined into such a modern and stylish piece suggests a strong synergy with the brand’s inherent characteristics. He himself rose to prominence with his skillful handling of sweatshirts, and this construction offers a glimpse into that particular focus.”

Incidentally, the silhouette on the patch of this T-shirt depicts a young Brooke Shields. It’s a motif from Calvin Klein Jeans’ 1980 advertising campaign, famously shot by Richard Avedon, and serves as a nostalgic and impactful homage to that iconic visual – a clever touch indeed.

Having worked with several established European luxury houses, Raf Simons’ approach to craftsmanship has become deeper and more meticulous. The fact that he could inject new life into a quintessential American brand and update it for contemporary fashion, drawing on that accumulated experience, is truly remarkable.

“The items I purchased are from his first collection. Raf’s debut collections always have an underlying theme of ‘school.’ The side-line pants are a reinterpretation of marching band uniforms, and the T-shirt initially made me think, ‘Is this gym wear?!’ The uniform-like aesthetic is precisely what’s appealing. I have high expectations that he will continue to present incredibly interesting pieces.”