Calvin Klein’s just released some underwear for the fast and furious. Inspired by old x-rays of skulls and skeletons (which, is something of a trend—see here, here and here. Also here for some really cool x-ray art by Nick Veasey), the line features some amped up versions of Calvin Klein Underwear’s popular, smooth fitting trunk in both regular cotton and microfiber. We suggest pairing with guitar, drums or bass and lots of headbanging. Images and where to buy, after the jump.
Weather you’re a Hanes kinda guy, a classic Calvin Klein man or you go for the modern cuts of a brand like 2Xist—you don’t need to ditch your time worn favorites. But below are 7 of the newest labels in men’s underwear—offering up innovations in fabrications, philanthropy and design—that you might want to consider tossing into the mix.
NAKED
$36-$64
Naked is the kind of underwear you feel really good about wearing. One—because its made from soft, body forming, Italian fabrics that were spun with water distilled from someplace called the Alps. And two—Naked sends a portion of every sale to the Project World Citizen Society, an NPO that helps communities in “developing nations that are struggling with social injustices [and to] promote a positive and locally oriented demonstration of environmentally sustainable projects around the world.” Cool.
A guy like Nick Lemons, who spent the last ten years modeling—including some underwear campaigns for DSquared2 and Armani Exchange, might’ve developed a knack for men’s underwear. You can be the judge of that now as his first line of underwear launched this past April.
You may have seen Mario Lopez trouncin’ round in nothing but these on some of your mom’s favorite TV shows last year when this brand was revealed, but despite its celeb infused marketing scheme, the brand does make some nice underwear. They’ve also helped you shop for it by dividing their collections up into Elementary (the cotton and polyester basics), Atelier (a more luxurious fabrication) and Play (with anti bacterial combo mesh/jersey).
That’s right. The Frigo N01 is hundred dollar pair of underwear. Why? It was developed by a team of European athletic researchers and it comes with an adjustable mesh pouch for a custom fit, lap-bonded seams to stop bunching and some kind of patented “Stay4sure” hem stabilizer near the leg holes to keep the underwear in place. Also, strategically placed vents near the lower back work with the fabrics wicking properties to alleviate sweat issues. So go for it. Spend $100 on one pair of underwear but be sure that if you do, this is definitely your game day pair.
Just released last fall, Michael Kors may be late to the designer underwear game but he’s offered up the kinds of handsome and classic cuts that make it look like he was there all along.
To be sure, Icebreaker has been sold in speciality camping shops for quite a few years but they’ve only recently made the jump to the mass market. Why should you care? They’re made from merino wool—a material that keeps you warm in the cold and is breathable in the heat so you don’t get all sweaty down there, meaning odor control! Also, they are very durable enough for trekkers, which means they last.
Keep an eye out for a 70’s comeback this July! Ron Chereskin, whose name was all over mid-70’s men’s apparel is launching anew, and with it he’ll be releasing a brand new underwear line that’s set to sell at undergear.com and universalgear.com.
When Steven Klein and Calvin Klein Underwear work together, you can be sure there’ll be beauty in almost every dimension. This is evidenced by the pairing’s striking video component for Calvin Klein Bold’s Spring 2012 ad campaign (you may remember the print campaign was launched early in February). Klein, who shot the print campaign, co-directed this video with Fabien Baron. The video features an ambient soundtrack contrasting the sounds of heartbeats with those of natural “silence”, models displaying perfect male physique and of course the bright colors of Bold’s Spring 2012 collection set against the natural beauty of Joshua Tree National Park. The effect is stark, gorgeous and wholly Klein—both of them.
In unrolling their Spring 2012 Ad campaign, Calvin Klein Underwear reminds us of what we love most about location shoots. Curious and stunning natural locations far from the busy city, striking human form, brilliant photographic talent and of course clothing—even if this ad has very little of it.
Shot by Stephen Klein in California’s Joshua Tree National Park, the ad is the first Global campaign for newcomer model Matthew Terry who was unearthed as part of the annual VMan/Ford Model search in 2011. Part construction worker, surfer and personal trainer, he is the perfect fit for this collection’s bold colors and masculine energy.
Just watch this sexy behind the scenes edit of the campaign, featuring Terry as well as three other perfect models working out on some parallel bars in the hot desert, to find out for yourself.
Photographer: Steven Klein
Location: Joshua Tree, CA
Creative Director: CRK Advertising, with Fabien Baron
Stylist: Karl Templer
Set Designer: Stefan Beckman
Hair: Tomo Jidai
Make-up: Mark Carrasquillo
Talent: Matt Terry (VMAN Model Search winner and exclusive to CKU.)
Myles Crosby
Arran Sly
Chris Garavaglia
