In a significant move, US fashion brand Calvin Klein has filed an application to re-register its trademark in Russia, more than three years after suspending operations in the country. This development comes as tensions between Russia and the West appear to be easing, with several foreign companies showing renewed interest in the Russian market.
According to a filing with the Russian patent office, Rospatent, Calvin Klein submitted its application on June 16 to register its brand across a wide range of goods and services. If approved, the trademark would enable the company to sell products under its name, including cosmetics, clothing, accessories, furniture, and textiles. The application also covers items such as perfume, soap, deodorants, shampoo, sunglasses, backpacks, T-shirts, watches, and even furniture and carpets.
The rights are being sought by Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (PVH), the US-based owner of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger. PVH was among the many Western companies that exited Russia in 2022 due to sanctions, supply disruptions, and public pressure. At the time, it operated over 150 stores across the country before announcing a suspension of operations, followed by a full shutdown.
Calvin Klein has not made any official statements regarding plans to resume business in Russia. However, its filing coincides with signs of renewed interest from foreign brands in re-entering the Russian market through licensing or third-party deals, despite ongoing restrictions. The company joins a list of global brands, including McDonald’s, Hyundai, Intel, Microsoft, LG, IKEA, Chanel, Rolex, and Louis Vuitton, that have sought to maintain or restore their intellectual property rights in Russia.
Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, has noted that foreign businesses that left Russia three years ago have been quietly returning. He estimates that US companies lost over $300 billion from their withdrawal. Recent developments suggest that Moscow and Washington are rebuilding ties, with both sides holding high-level talks aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict and improving diplomatic relations. Since Donald Trump returned to office in January, he and Putin have voiced support for reviving economic cooperation.
In March, Putin ordered the government to draft clearer rules for Western companies seeking to return to Russia, with the aim of protecting domestic producers. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether Calvin Klein’s application will be approved and what this might mean for the company’s future operations in Russia. One thing is certain, however: the move marks a significant step towards potential re-engagement in a market that was once lucrative for many foreign brands.
