• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, February 11, 2025

As New York Fashion Week wraps up, Kohler found a stunning way to catch the design world’s attention. As part of the kitchen and bath company’s “Design Changes Everything” campaign, it partnered with Laura Kim, co-creative director of Monse and Oscar de la Renta. Kim designed a bespoke dress to reflect the lines and vibe of Kohler’s Veil Smart Toilet in honed black.

The dress debuted during the Monse Fall/Winter runway show and is now playing a starring role in the national campaign.

Made of flowing black chiffon, the dress is designed to evoke “graceful movement and femininity,” while leather straps and a buckle add a bit of masculinity, “creating a balance between softness and structure.”

Kohler says the dress blends “elegance with edge,” says Kanika Ajmera, senior director of marketing at Kohler, in the announcement. “This project harnesses the intersection of art and technology, presenting the limitless potential of design to inspire and elevate our lives.”

Kohler, based in Kohler, Wisconsin, developed the campaign with PMG, its media agency. Directed and photographed by Boo George, ads are scheduled to run through July and are appearing in digital, social, print, and TV advertising.

A Kohler spokesperson tells Marketing Daily the ads are slated for broadcast and cable networks, as well as CTV placements.

Priced at $5,475, the Veil isn’t Kohler’s most expensive model, but it is one of the sleekest. The minimalist design has plenty of options for personalization. And the dress will be available for pre-order until March 15.

The collaboration is the latest example of the brand’s ongoing effort to connect with style-driven audiences. Last fall, for example, Kohler introduced a pop-up exhibit during Miami Art Week 2024, called “Makers in Place: Kohler Celebrates 50 Years of Arts/Industry.” The show featured more than 30 pieces by artists who have participated in the Kohler Arts/Industry residency program.