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    Why the A-list will always love Calvin Klein

    The most iconic red carpet moments from the legendary designer...

    By Marie Claire
    Published 20 April 2016 In Features

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Calvin Klein Jennifer Lawrence 2011 thumbnail
    Calvin Klein Jennifer Lawrence 2011 thumbnail
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))
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    The most iconic red carpet moments from the legendary designer...

    From the legendary sexy campaigns and signature slip dresses to the A-list devotees and their effortlessly impactful red carpet moments, Calvin Klein is a true fashion icon.

    They've tapped everyone from Kate Moss to Kendall Jenner as the face of the brand and have provided us with over 40 years of show-stopping gowns.

    The effortless column and shift dress is the brand's DNA. Be it embellished or sublimely elegant and silky, a Calvin Klein red carpet moment is instantly recognisable.

    In the catalogue of nineties Calvin Kleincoolness, it can be tough to pick favourites, especially given that the archives include some of Kate Moss's best moments.

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    Fast forward a few years and who could forget a young Jennifer Lawrence, before her Dior commitment, showing up at the Oscars in a clingy red gown?

    Whether the look was sleek and body conscious, or sparkly and dramatic, both the original CK and his protégé, Francisco Costa, know how to design a dress that guarantees to make an entrance.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

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    From Emma Watson in 2010 and Scarlett Johansson in 2004, the thinly strapped, bias cut, mid-length slip is one of the most simplest yet striking red carpet looks that we all want to emulate time and time again.

    Ever since the brand launched in a hotel in New York, it's meteoric rise onto the pages of international fashion magazines and the multi-billion pound label it is today is down to these achingly cool collections.

    The Most Iconic Red Carpet Moments

    The Most Iconic Red Carpet Moments

    Calvin-Klein Sienna Miller 2007 landscape
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    And now, with news of itsCreative Directors Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli stepping down from the brand, a new era is being ushered in. For now though, we take a look at the stars and the dresses that have made the fashion icon what it is today?

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    Kate Moss, 1995

    Kate Moss, 1995

    Calvin Klein Kate Moss 1995
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    The coolness of Kate Moss and the simplicity of Calvin Klein is a match made in sartorial heaven. This timeless CFDA Awards look is still one of our favourite Calvin Klein A-list moments.   

    Lara Flynn Boyle, 1993

    Lara Flynn Boyle, 1993

    Lara Flynn Boyle 1993
    (Image credit: Copyright (c) 1993 BEimages. No use without permission.)

    For a timeless LBD, lok no further than 90s Calvin Klein. 

    Princess Diana, 1997

    Princess Diana, 1997

    Princess Diana 1997
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    For her dance with the designer himself, who else would Princess Diana choose? 

    Christy Turlington, 1998

    Christy Turlington, 1998

    Christy Turlington 1998
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Dresses aside, Calvin Klein cuts a mean trouser suit. 

    Gywneth Paltrow, 2000

    Gywneth Paltrow, 2000

    Calvin Klein Gywneth Paltrow 2000
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    The midi length, just the right amount of sparkle and the understated styling - there's nothing we don't love about this untraditional Oscars look. 

    Scarlett Johansson, 2004

    Scarlett Johansson, 2004

    Calvin Klein Scarlett Johansson 2004
    (Image credit: Copyright (c) 2004 BEimages. No use without permission.)

    Elegant, simple and sexy - this black dress is Calvin Klein at its best. 

    Kate Bosworth, 2006

    Kate Bosworth, 2006

    Calvin Klein Kate Bosworth 2006
    (Image credit: Copyright (c) 2006 BEimages. No use without permission.)

    Calvin Klein's slip dress got a red carpet makeover at the 2006 Oscars. Thin straps, sheer detailing and floor-sweeping - this is how to do red carpet drama the Calvin Klein way. 

    Jessica Alba, 2006

    Jessica Alba, 2006

    Calvin Klein Jessica Alba 2006
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Jesscia Alba's understated elegance is the perfect complement to Calvin Klein's strapless gowns. We love. 

    Cate Blanchett, 2006

    Cate Blanchett, 2006

    Calvin Klein Cate Blanchett 2006
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Though the cuts and silhouettes are modern and paired-back, Calvin Klein goes big on shine, fabrics and metallics. 

    Sienna Miller, 2007

    Sienna Miller, 2007

    Calvin Klein Sienna Miller 2007
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Based in New York, just as it has been since the late 60s, Calvin Klein has mastered the art of the perfect cocktail dress. 

    Diane Kruger, 2007

    Diane Kruger, 2007

    Calvin Klein Diane Kruger 2007
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    But the label can do romance too. Forget the frills and opulent embellishment you see at other design houses, Calvin Klein does understated floor-sweeper like no other.  

    Eva Mendes, 2008

    Eva Mendes, 2008

    Calvin Klein Eva Mendes 2008
    (Image credit: Copyright (c) 2008 BEimages. No use without permission.)

    For the 'Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy' themed MET Ball, Calvin Klein added an aptly-dramatic train to its elegant strapless column dress.

    Gwyneth Paltrow, 2009

    Gwyneth Paltrow, 2009

    Calvin Klein Gwyneth Paltrow 2009
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    The pleats, the satin, can Calvin Klein do no wrong? And Gwyneth Paltrow and her lithe silhouette is the perfect muse for the brand. 

    Diane Kruger, 2010

    Diane Kruger, 2010

    Calvin Klein Diane Kruger 2010
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    When it comes to A-list red carpet dressing, this is perfection. Who needs a thigh-high split or voluptuous ball gown when you have this slinky number? 

    Gisele Bundchen, 2010

    Gisele Bundchen, 2010

    Calvin Klein Gisele Bundchen 2010
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    With a nonchalant approach to glamour, it's easy to see why it's the go-to brand for the supers.  

    Emma Watson, 2010

    Emma Watson, 2010

    Calvin Klein Emma Watson 2010
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    This luxed up take on the classic Calvin Klein slip is all kinds of amazing. And with Emma's cropped hair and minimal styling, it doesn't get much cooler. 

    Gwyneth Paltrow, 2011

    Gwyneth Paltrow, 2011

    Calvin Klein Gwyneth Paltrow 2011
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Shimmering metallics and a thigh-high split have never looked so effortless. Gwyneth's sleek, straight mane and understated accessories are just what this cool dress needs. 

    Jennifer Lawrence, 2011

    Jennifer Lawrence, 2011

    Calvin Klein Jennifer Lawrence 2011
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Allow us to introduce you to one of our all-time favourite J-Law looks. A sexy red columndress is all you need when you have this much red carpet sass. 

    Claire Danes, 2011

    Claire Danes, 2011

    Calvin Klein Claire Danes 2011
    (Image credit: Copyright (c) 2011 BEimages. No use without permission.)

    All the core Calvin Klein dress ingredients are seen right here - long, sublime and figure-hugging. A true icon we never tire of. 

    Emily Blunt, 2012

    Emily Blunt, 2012

    Calvin Klein Emily Blunt 2012
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Emily Blunt perfectly encapsulates the Calvin Klein spirit- a sexy dress with effortless make-up and bags of attitude. 

    Katie Holmes, 2013

    Katie Holmes, 2013

    Calvin Klein Katie Holmes 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    With the coolness of a classic Calvin Klein dress and the drama of a MET Ball-worthy train, there is nothing we don't love about this red carpet look. 

    Anne Hathaway, 2014

    Anne Hathaway, 2014

    Calvin Klein Anne Hathaway 2014
    (Image credit: Copyright (c) 2014 BEimages. No use without permission.)

    The column dress is an essential part of Calvin Klein's DNA which the brand continuously reinvents. And no-where is it more cool, modern and sexy as this MET Ball number.  

    Kendall Jenner, 2015

    Kendall Jenner, 2015

    Calvin Klein Kendall Jenner met ball 2015
    (Image credit: Copyright (c) 2015 BEimages. No use without permission.)

    From Kate Moss to the new model-of-the-moment, Kendall Jenner, Calvin Klein continues to be the go-to designer for the fash-pack's best dressed IT girls.  

    Brie Larson, 2016

    Brie Larson, 2016

    Calvin Klein Brie Larson 2016
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    From the 90s silk dresses right through to the present day sequin numbers, Calvin Klein never fails to amaze on the red carpet. And this Oscars number has to be one of our all-time faves. 

    Saoirse Ronan, 2016

    Saoirse Ronan, 2016

    Calvin Klein
    (Image credit: David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

    This is the epitome of red carpet elegance, and perfectly highlights the unrivalled cut of a Clavin Klein red carpet dress. We love. 

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