Less really is more.
Minimalism never really left – but right now, it’s having a moment. Calvin Klein is leaning into simplicity for Spring 2026, unveiling a new campaign starring actor Dakota Johnson in her debut for the brand. Stripped-back, effortless and quietly sensual, the visuals centre on the label’s latest underwear innovations alongside a revival of its signature ‘90s-inspired denim.
Shot and directed by Gordon von Steiner, the campaign follows Johnson through a relaxed day at home, trading red carpet polish for something more intimate. The result feels very Calvin Klein: minimal styling, soft natural light, and a focus on the confidence that comes from simply being comfortable in your own skin.
At the heart of the collection is the brand’s new Ultralight underwear line, designed to deliver second-skin comfort with barely-there support. Pieces like the Icon Cotton Modal underwear and the Perfectly Fit Ultralight Bra are engineered with lightweight materials and spacer cup technology, creating a sculpted feel without sacrificing ease.
Denim, meanwhile, leans heavily into nostalgia. The Archive High Rise Slim Jean revisits a defining ‘90s silhouette with a high-rise, straight-leg fit, styled alongside a Relaxed Trucker jacket for that perfectly undone look. Elsewhere, the Baggy Jean brings a looser, laid-back energy to the line-up, reinforcing the collection’s relaxed mood.
The timing also feels intentional. The brand’s signature minimalist aesthetic has been back in the spotlight recently thanks to the FX series Love Story, which chronicles the relationship between John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy – a former Calvin Klein publicist whose ’90s wardrobe has become a viral reference point for Gen Z. The show has sparked a surge in online searches for Calvin Klein and renewed interest in the era’s clean tailoring and slip-dress simplicity.
Speaking on the campaign, Johnson said the appeal of the pieces comes down to their timeless feel. “Calvin Klein jeans and underwear have a quality that makes everything feel right the moment you put them on,” she explained, adding that the campaign’s at-home setting taps into a sense of comfort and freedom.
All in all, it’s a reminder of what Calvin Klein does best. Strip things back, keep it simple, and let the attitude do the rest.
The Calvin Klein Spring 2026 campaign launched globally on March 9 across retail, online, and social platforms.
PHOTO CREDIT: Calvin Klein
