NEW YORK, Sep 8, 2004/ FW/ --- On a rainy Wednesday morning, the New York Spring 2005 season kicked off with Kenneth Cole’s “Conventional Wisdom,” the title of his short film clip before the runway show.

With 2004 as a presidential election year, the New York-based designer threw in his hat in the political arena beginning with the invitations sent to the press, with “Elect to Join Us. – Kenneth Cole” printed in big letters, complete with “campaign buttons.” (See photo at left)

Yet, unlike other designers who decided to wear their votes in their sleeves, Kenneth Cole chose to be non-partisan, and encouraged everyone to vote with slogans like “Nov 2 is NOT A DRESS REHEARSAL” and “Fashion Your Future. Vote 2004.”

The film clip, produced by Kenneth Cole of course, gave some little known statistics, like “50% of registered voters did not vote in 2000” and in a humorous way, showed what had happened in the past 4 years from the “hanging chads” to Britney Spear’s short-lived marriage, then moved on to bad fashion trends and the controversial same-sex marriage.

Kenneth Cole tongue-in-cheek treatment made it hilarious and humorous, yet the seriousness of the issues was never belittled. In fact, by poking fun on it, the designer emphasized that by exercising our rights to vote, we can help in resolving these issues.

The designer might have given political issues a lighthearted treatment, giving everyone a little prod to be more proactive, yet he treated his collection seriously, sending a very wearable collection that is signature Kenneth Cole.

After the show, the audience left with smiles on their faces. This is fashion week and Kenneth Cole kicked it off with a bang!