The latest episode of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette delves into the iconic Calvin Klein fragrance campaign featuring Kate Moss. The episode opens with two teenage girls stealing a poster of Moss from a telephone booth, setting the tone for the era of “heroin chic” fashion that Moss would come to embody.
In a key moment, Carolyn Bessette is depicted as handpicking Moss’s headshot from a pile in Calvin Klein’s office, showcasing her keen eye for talent and influencing the designer to cast Moss in a groundbreaking campaign. While the show takes creative liberties in portraying Bessette as the sole discoverer of Moss, the reality is that she played a pivotal role in advocating for Moss’s casting in the brand’s 1992 underwear ad alongside Mark Wahlberg.
According to Maureen Callahan’s book Champagne Supernovas, Bessette and art director Fabian Baron championed Moss as the face of the campaign, a decision that proved instrumental in reviving the struggling company. The success of the underwear and fragrance lines featuring Moss ultimately helped save Calvin Klein from bankruptcy.
The episode also delves into the love story between Moss and photographer Mario Sorrenti, who captured the intimate and captivating images for the 1993 “Obsession” campaign. Klein described Sorrenti’s obsession with Moss as evident in his portfolio, a sentiment echoed by Moss herself in later interviews. Reflecting on their relationship, Moss described it as passionate and intense, a first love that left a lasting impact.
The intertwining narratives of Moss’s rise to fame, Bessette’s influence in the fashion world, and the behind-the-scenes drama of iconic campaigns paint a vivid picture of the era. Love Story continues to explore the complexities of love, ambition, and fame in the world of high fashion, offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of two influential figures during a transformative period in the industry.
