Review of Calvin Klein “This is Love” Ad Campaign by Photographer John Edmonds with talent John Waters, Mink Stole, Sasha Lane, Sergio lane, The Trevor Project, Snail Mail, House of Xtravaganza, Holli Smith, Pony, Justice Smith, Nic Ashe, and Tribe
Calvin Klein’s latest campaign, This is Love, celebrates chosen families within the LGBTQIA+ community. The cast of friends, partners, lovers, neighbors, allies, and more share what family means to them, highlighting the spectrum of intentional and important connections that exist within the LGBTQIA+ community. The campaign features the brand’s new collection, a reimagined approach to Pride.
Captured by John Edmonds in the emotive style of a photo album, the campaign cast includes LGBTQIA+ trailblazers, entertainers and advocates. The campaign features legendary filmmaker John Waters, actress Mink Stole, actress Sasha Lane, Sergio Lane, team members from LGBTQ youth organization The Trevor Project, musician Snail Mail, legendary ballroom house House of Xtravaganza, hairstylist Holli Smith and her fiancé Pony, actor Justice Smith and his actor boyfriend Nic Ashe, and Afrofuturistic arts collective Tribe.
Styled in “This is Love” apparel and other Calvin Klein essentials, the cast is photographed with their loved ones in quiet moments of connection, private instances of intimacy and playful expressions of their relationship. Nontraditional, unconditional, real: this is family through the lens of Calvin Klein.
Featured in the campaign are three employees of The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning young people. Calvin Klein is a proud supporter and financial sponsor of The Trevor Project’s lifesaving work, which includes essential 24/7 crisis services across phone, text and chat, suicide prevention programs and other resources for LGBTQIA+ young people, their families, educators, and supporters.
Calvin Klein also supports ILGA World’s initiatives as the global voice of LGBTQIA+ networks, communities and movements tirelessly committed to shaping a world where everyone can live safely, equally and free. Additionally, throughout 2022 Calvin Klein will continue to partner with PFLAG National and Transgender Law Center to support their critical work in advancing LGBTQIA+ education, safety, inclusion, and justice. Calvin Klein Australia has also continued its partnership with BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation in its efforts to strengthen visibility of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ community.
Calvin Klein has long been a visible and vocal advocate for the queer community, and this latest evolution of their ongoing Pride campaign series is another powerful and intimate celebration of the freedom to be oneself and to love.
Calvin Klein Creative Director | Cedric Murac
Photographer | John Edmonds
Videography | Alima Lee
Models | John Waters, Mink Stole, Sasha Lane, Sergio lane, The Trevor Project, Snail Mail, House of Xtravaganza, Holli Smith, Pony, Justice Smith, Nic Ashe, and Tribe