All Calvin Klein imagery is copyright of Calvin Klein Inc. and used for editorial purposes. This article discusses the history of iconic Calvin Klein underwear campaigns.

Calvin Klein Models Past and Present - The Most Iconic Underwear Campaigns

We love a good underwear campaign and when it comes to Calvin Klein, they are truly the masters of iconic underwear advertising. From the groundbreaking 1990s campaigns that changed men's underwear forever to today's modern interpretations, CK has consistently featured some of the world's most recognizable faces and bodies.

We've rummaged through the archives to find some of the very best Calvin Klein male models past and present. Here are our favourites - and how you can get similar styles from our own premium collections.

1. Mark Wahlberg - The Original Icon (1992)

This rapper, turned CK model, turned Hollywood actor has to be the number one choice. His legendary 1990s underwear campaign with photographer Herb Ritts fuelled the Calvin Klein brand like no other, catapulting Calvin Klein into mainstream pop culture with those iconic white briefs and boxer briefs.

Shot in black and white, the Mark Wahlberg Calvin Klein campaigns of 1992 became cultural phenomena. The images of Marky Mark (as he was known then) in classic white CK briefs appeared on billboards across the world and defined an era of men's underwear advertising. His confident, athletic physique and the minimalist aesthetic created a template that underwear brands still follow today.

The campaign was so successful that it's still referenced over 30 years later - which is probably why you're reading this article!

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2. Antonio Sabato Jr. - The 90s Heartthrob

Following Mark Wahlberg's success, Calvin Klein tapped soap opera star Antonio Sabato Jr. for their mid-90s campaigns. His smouldering looks and chiselled physique continued the tradition of athletic, confident masculinity that defined the CK aesthetic.

Sabato Jr.'s campaigns helped cement Calvin Klein's position as the premium choice for men's underwear throughout the 1990s.

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3. Travis Fimmel - The Australian Model Who Became Ragnar

Before he was Ragnar Lothbrok in Vikings, Australian model Travis Fimmel was the face of Calvin Klein in the early 2000s. His campaign was so successful that a Times Square billboard featuring Fimmel in CK underwear caused traffic accidents and had to be taken down!

Fimmel represented a new era of Calvin Klein male models - rugged, masculine, with an edge that appealed to a new generation.

4. Fredrik Ljungberg - The Swedish Footballer (2006)

2006 brought us Swedish footballer Fredrik Ljungberg. Blonde, toned and sporting tattoos, we think he made a pretty successful underwear campaign. His edgy, sporty aesthetic defined men's underwear advertising and showed that athletes could be fashion icons too.

The Ljungberg campaigns bridged the gap between sport and fashion, proving that performance and style could coexist.

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5. Kellan Lutz - Twilight Star Turned Underwear Model (2008)

Ok so he played Emmett, Edward Cullen's beefy brother in the Twilight Saga, but if he hadn't been a part of those films he would never have been the face of Calvin Klein Underwear back in 2008. His athletic build showcased the body-conscious fit that made CK famous with a new generation of fans.

6. Matt Terry - From Grocery Store to Global Campaign

A few years ago Terry was just a regular Pennsylvanian guy stocking shelves at his local grocery store and working on the odd construction job. Now he's the face of Calvin Klein, joining some of the most elite models in the world. We think he's a pretty good fit for the CK brand and represents the modern, accessible masculinity that today's campaigns embrace.

Why Calvin Klein Underwear Campaigns Changed Everything

Calvin Klein revolutionised men's underwear advertising in the 1990s by focusing on:

• Athletic, body-confident models - Real physiques, not airbrushed perfection
• Clean, minimalist aesthetic - Black and white photography, simple compositions
• Premium fabrics and engineered fits - Quality you could see and feel
• Bold branding and iconic waistbands - The CK logo became a status symbol
• Timeless designs in classic colours - White, black, grey that never go out of style
• Confidence and masculinity - Celebrating the male form without apology

Before Calvin Klein's 1990s campaigns, men's underwear was hidden away, never discussed, purely functional. CK made it aspirational, fashionable, and something men actually cared about.

Frequently Asked Questions About Calvin Klein Models

Who was the Calvin Klein underwear model after Mark Wahlberg?

After Mark Wahlberg's iconic 1992 campaign, Calvin Klein featured several models including Antonio Sabato Jr. in the mid-1990s, followed by Travis Fimmel in the early 2000s. Each brought their own style to the classic CK aesthetic.

Who was the Calvin Klein male model after Marky Mark?

Antonio Sabato Jr. was one of the first major Calvin Klein male models to follow Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark), continuing the tradition of athletic, confident masculinity in CK campaigns throughout the mid-1990s.

Who replaced Mark Wahlberg at Calvin Klein?

While no single model truly "replaced" Mark Wahlberg (his campaigns were that iconic), Calvin Klein continued with models like Antonio Sabato Jr., Travis Fimmel, and Fredrik Ljungberg, each bringing their own interpretation to the brand.

Was Mark Wahlberg a Calvin Klein model?

Yes! Mark Wahlberg (then known as Marky Mark) was the face of Calvin Klein underwear in 1992 in what became one of the most famous advertising campaigns in fashion history. His black and white images in CK briefs defined an era.

Shop Premium Men's Underwear at BANG & STRIKE

While we can't compete with Calvin Klein's advertising budgets or celebrity models, we can deliver the same quality, fit and style philosophy in our carefully curated collections:

• Core Cotton - Classic everyday essentials in premium cotton, inspired by the timeless CK aesthetic
• STRIKE PRO - Performance underwear with athletic fits and engineered support
• PUMP! Underwear - Bold, sporty designs with contoured pouches and confident branding
• View All Men's Underwear - Browse our complete range of designer briefs, boxers, jockstraps and thongs

Discover premium men's underwear with the same attention to fit, fabric and design that made Calvin Klein famous - available now at BANG & STRIKE with fast UK dispatch and discreet packaging.

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