Kenneth Cole: Sophisticated & Urban
By Mari Davis
Photos by Javier Mateo

NEW YORK, Feb 6, 2004/ FW/ ---- Kenneth Cole kicked off New York Fashion Week with a bang, sending a collection that will definitely define several big trends come fall from big lapel jackets to tuxedo trench coats.

The show started with a fun and witty ‘commercial,’ full of trivia such as “400,000 Americans are abducted by aliens everyday, and it usually happens during happy hour.”

The audio-visual presentation was a great icebreaker especially in a cold and wet winter day in New York.

And when Daria opened with a navy wool herringbone trench coat and flat over-the-knee boot, the tent began to pack heat, and it is not because of the heaters either.

Keeping a clip pace, Kenneth Cole sent male and female models on the runway dressed in navy, charcoal gray, chocolate brown and black. Different shades of red, from primary to maroon, and a sprinkling of gold and green added color, packing more heat to an already hot collection.

An innovative designer, Kenneth Cole broke new grounds in fashion with the big lapel jackets worn by both male and female doubles.

With the collar either standing or down, and the lapels which he sometimes doubled for drama, Kenneth Cole just redefined the sophisticated urban gentlemen and ladies with one garment.

Street clothes do not need to be hip-hop. It can be classy and suave at the same time.

The trench coats cut like a tuxedo and made with microfiber will definitely be a “must have” come fall.

Kenneth Cole also took good care of the ladies’ need to be feminine. The flowing dresses with asymmetrical hemlines at times, skirts with bias cut panels put together with a transparent fabric and low rise pants with wide legs will definitely sell like hotcakes when they reach the store shelves.

That is where Kenneth Cole’s genius as a designer lays. He can create a commercially viable collection without sacrificing artistry.

The motor cross leather jacket and the suede double-breasted notch collar long shearling coat which were cut decisively and tailored impeccably are proof of Kenneth Cole’s artistry. And these two items will definitely be on a retail buyer’s shopping list for fall.

Kenneth Cole even had time to send bags, shoes and accessories, the backbone of his design house, on the runway. And as expected, these items have been given as much thought as the clothes. The over-the-knee boots, motorcycle boots, strappy sandals, rectangular metal watch, eelskin clutch and crocodile shoes with double buckles… the list can go on and on until I have mentioned the whole collection and the comment will still be the same --- they are winners in their own right.

In the invitation to his show, Kenneth Cole asked, “Are you putting us on?”

Come fall, the answer will be a resounding YES!

Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole