You’d probably think Calvin Klein has nothing but nice things to say about the people who model his underwear, including Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner. But recent statements from Klein reveal that’s not the case.
Klein—who stepped down from the brand’s creative director position in 2002—told former CFDA president Fern Mallis that he isn’t familiar with Kendall’s role in the ads, but he didn’t stop there. “I’m sure she’s a lovely young woman. It’s not the kind of thing I would have done, even today.”
Ouch! This may have something to do with the fact that Klein doesn’t believe in the brand’s increasingly modern marketing strategy. “Now, models are paid for how many followers they have. They’re booked not because they represent the essence of the designer, which is what I tried to do. I don’t think that, long-term, is going to work. I don’t think that’s a great formula for success for the product you’re trying to sell.”
Klein is a big fan of Justin Bieber’s steamy underwear ads, though. “When [I say] I like Justin Bieber in the Calvin Klein Underwear [campaign], it’s because I like him—not because he’s got millions of followers,” he said. “I think [Bieber’s posters] are very good.”
Whether Klein isn’t a fan of the KarJenners or he’s throwing some sexist shade Kendall’s way, we’ll never know. Sorry, Kendall.