Intro for May 21, 2026
– 2 min read
Dear Gossips,
In my final post of the day on Tuesday, I mentioned that I had set an alarm at 6pm ET for the Calvin Klein x Jung Kook drop. The CKJK capsule collection is a collaboration between JK and the brand, featuring 20 pieces and, at the time, I specifically wrote that I hoped Calvin Klein’s servers were ready for the onslaught.
I was ahead of the alarm, and still, when I pulled up the page, it was crashing. By the time it finally loaded two minutes later, every time I tried to add something to the cart, it either clocked out or wouldn’t follow the command. And then 15 minutes after that, everything was gone. Which was expected. And trust me, none of it is getting returned. I mean, I wish. Because I really wanted that ringer tee and I really, really, REALLY wanted the bralette. The white bralette is, for me, the hero item because it’s cut exactly like an old school uncle greaser tank, a Hanes tank worn ten years past its expiry date, except clean. And they don’t have it in the regular Calvin Klein inventory…
The capsule was inspired by JK’s love of motorcycles, he’s been riding for a few years, so this is specifically biker life, but make it JK. Which gives it another layer of cultural interest beyond just another celebrity fashion collaboration. Because the biker aesthetic is American-coded – so we have one of the most iconic American brands, releasing a collection that evokes an American lifestyle, but connected to one of the most famous idols from Korea. And making it that much more attractive to those who might not otherwise have been. Some of us actually find it intimidating. I used to go on road trips every summer to play golf in a town known to be frequented by a lot of bikers and we stopped because it started to feel unsafe for me as an Asian person. And now here’s JK in bike formation with his whole crew giving it a wholesome makeover…
… and there’s banana milk and pinball games in the clubhouse.
But again, it’s gone, there’s nothing left. So I would appreciate it if Calvin Klein could stop the marketing, LOL. Like even after the entire collection was sold out they kept posting JK promo videos – is this taunting?
Yours in gossip,
Lainey
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