Calvin Klein is preparing the launch of CK Free, its new men's fragrance. The campaign will kick off in September, and the fashion design house has high hopes for the new addition to its stable of fragrances. It expects to do around $100 million in sales globally the first year.
"The Calvin Klein house is our largest and most global brand in the company," said Catherine Walsh, senior vice president of American Fragrances for Coty Prestige. "And within it, the CK franchise speaks to a casual, relaxed attitude. CK Free has been created to offer men an everyday escape away from the daily grind regardless of their age, ethnicity or social status. It's very democratic."
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Traditionally, CK fragrances have been even stronger in global markets than in the U.S. — but with CK Free, the company is also hoping for a home run in the U.S. "This scent is about casual, everyday living — and living life without boundaries," said Charlotta Perlangeli, global vice president of marketing for Calvin Klein Fragrances at Coty Prestige. "We think that is a message that will resonate both in the U.S. and abroad."
The woody aromatic scent, concocted by Givaudan, has top notes of Thailand star anise, jackfruit, absinthe and juniper berry; a heart of suede, tobacco leaves, coffee absolute and South African buchu, and a drydown of patchouli absolute, oakwood, Texan cedarwood and Costa Rican ironwood.
The collection consists of eaux de toilette in three sizes — 1 oz. for $32, 1.7 oz. for $47 and 3.4 oz. for $62 — as well as a 5-oz. aftershave balm, at $42, and a 2.5 oz. deodorant stick for $16.
The bottle, a beveled rectangle, is edged in blue — intended to evoke the shades of the ocean and the sky, said Perlangeli.
The ads will star Jamie Dornan, who will also appear in ads for the firm's underwear and jeans lines this fall. The ads will feature Jamie in a vintage car and photos of the bottle with a desert sunset behind it.