Calvin Klein has launched its 2026 Pride collection, spotlighting three LGBTQ+ creatives as ambassadors: London-based choreographer Sam Salter, model and racer Jordan Rand, and New York artist Deon Hinton. The campaign showcases bold, rainbow-gradient briefs, bralettes, and tees designed to celebrate queer identity and pride.
Salter Brings Movement to the Campaign
The 32-year-old dancer features prominently in a warehouse-set film, moving expressively over a house beat while wearing the limited-edition cotton underwear. In the piece, Salter thrashes, stretches, and works through choreography that brings the colorful designs to life. He described the opportunity as "a huge career highlight" and expressed disbelief at being part of the campaign. The visual has already drawn enthusiastic comments from fans praising both Salter's performance and the brand's approach.
A Meaningful Full-Circle Moment
For Salter, this campaign carries particular significance. In 2020, he participated in Calvin Klein's abbreviated "Proud in My Calvins" promotion, where he openly discussed his coming-out journey. He shared that revealing his sexuality felt like "two years of confusion" followed by profound relief. "If I could talk to my fourteen year old self I would say, 'It's OK to feel confused, it's okay to be exactly how you are, you have a family that love you, just be, and be PROUD of it,'" he reflected at the time. Jordan Rand and Deon Hinton similarly expressed gratitude for the platform, with Rand noting on social media that her younger self wouldn't believe her life had unfolded this way.
Beyond the Surface
The campaign stands out for allowing each ambassador creative input rather than imposing a single aesthetic. Rand posed with a motorcycle, while Hinton shot self-portraits flexing in the Intense Power Pride Crop Muscle Tank. Calvin Klein also announced it would financially support organizations serving the LGBTQIA+ community, signaling a commitment beyond surface-level Pride Month marketing. In a landscape where corporate rainbow-washing and recycled promotions have become routine, the brand's approach of centering queer artists' authentic perspectives offers a more thoughtful alternative.
Source: Queerty
Cover photo: Jansel Ferma / Pexels
