Calvin Klein challenges decision to use Kendall Jenner to front brand's underwear campaign

'It's not the kind of thing I would have done even today,' says Klein

The company’s founder argued that the fashion industry should not choose models on the basis of how many followers they have (Getty Images)

Calvin Klein has questioned the decision to use Kendall Jenner to front the fashion brand’s campaign.

The company’s founder argued the fashion industry should not choose models on the basis of how many followers they have on social media.

Speaking at a talk at Savannah College of Art and Design, the iconic designer said he preferred the choice of Justin Bieber over Jenner for the ‘My Calvin’ underwear campaign.

When asked what he thought about the reality TV star turned supermodel, the 73-year-old expressed his doubts.

“You know, I'm really not that familiar with it. I'm honestly not. I'm sure she's a lovely young woman. It's not the kind of thing I would have done, even today. Justin Bieber, yes,” reported Fashionista.

“When [I say] I like Justin Bieber in the Calvin Klein Underwear [campaign], it's because I like him — not because he's got millions of followers,” Klein continued.

”Now, models are paid for how many followers they have. They're booked not because they represent the essence of the designer, which is what I tried to do — they're booked because of how many followers they have online. I don't think that, long-term, is going to work. I don't think that's a great formula for success for the product you're trying to sell.“

”However, if you take really exquisite photographs of the right people in the right clothes in the right location, and you put it online, that's fine,“ he continued. ”Just putting any old clothes on Kim Kardashian, long-term, isn't going to do a thing.“

Back in December 2002, Klein sold his global brand to Phillips-Van Heusen, America’s largest shirt-maker, for $400 million in cash, another additional $30 million in stock and up to $300 million in royalties.