Something is brewing at Calvin Klein Inc.

Not only is Francisco Costa, creative director of Calvin Klein Collection, in the running for the Council of Fashion Designers of America's 2008 women's wear designer of the year award, but Calvin Klein specialty boutiques are popping up all over the country — including Atlanta, where one of the first five Calvin Klein White Label stores opened last fall at Lenox Square (others are in California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Michigan).

Mikki K. Harris / AJC (ENLARGE)

The mens' section of clothing at the Calvin Klein store at Lenox Mall.

RELATED LINK: • More shopping stories

White Label refers to the line of better sportswear launched in 2004, which is not to be confused with the higher-end collection.

I've always associated Calvin Klein with the designer denim decade, back when Brooke Shields and Shari Belafonte got all rhapsodic about their Calvins in cool TV commercials. So I admit that when I strolled into the massive 9,000-square-foot store in the Neiman Marcus wing, I had one thing on my mind: Find the wide-leg jeans Kate Bosworth is wearing in the latest advertisements.

It was a weekday afternoon, and with the store fairly empty, I wandered the aisles alternately scanning classically cut shift dresses, trousers and tops, gazing up at billboard-size images of chicly dressed models who appeared to be rushing off on a weekend trip.

I spent time brainstorming outfits for my own getaway to Charleston, S.C., Savannah or any city far enough away to feel like a vacation, but close enough that it can actually be completed in 48 hours and not cost me any vacation days.

A belted trench ($178), khaki pencil skirt ($78) and brown silk dress with elastic-banded sleeves and slit pockets ($178) felt appropriate. A shoulder bag in perforated leather ($198) would hold necessities without bringing too much bulk.

For men, a tissue-weight sweater with subdued, multicolored stripes ($78) and "Benjamin" style slim-fit pants ($88) seemed the ideal pairing for a butter-soft leather button-up jacket ($395).

The store, designed to showcase the Calvin Klein White Label lifestyle, also stocks a range of accessories, including silver face watches with black bands ($130 to $190) and leather goods housed in cases along the center aisle of the store.

After passing through the section devoted to Calvin Klein intimate apparel, I entered the suede-padded dressing room, where I slipped on the jeans.

Deep indigo. Midrise. Long inseam. $79.

I leave the bastion of minimalism with new jeans in hand and a song — Belafonte's a cappella tune — in my head.

CALVIN KLEIN

10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Lenox Square, second floor

3393 Peachtree Road

404-846-1530