We’ve been so distracted by the glitz and the flashy these days, that we needed something like Kenneth Cole’s Fall 2017 collection to focus on what matters in fashion again: craftsmanship. And what better way to be reminded than meeting the designer himself—one of our finest artisans gifted in detail, precision, and all things that transcend time and trends.
It’s a pleasure to meet Mr. Cole and have the man introduce his latest pieces, a nod to the brand’s city roots. In line with the brand’s innate respect for traditional values like quality and its openness to modern aesthetics, “Urban Artisan” becomes the overarching theme.
Women will definitely find something for them here. While the clothes keep the brand’s signature washes, finishes, and processes, they are made with contemporary features like crushed velvet, burnished and patent leathers, faux fur, and cozy knits.
Its urban identity is also apparent in the designs they take. Utilizing the theme of Botanic Utility—the harmony between the industrial and the natural—the pieces use shades of green, sprinkled with accents of red cherry and black. These include an elongated bomber, leather moto jacket, slip dress, T-shirt dress, oversized hoodie, knit and woven jogger, and leather mini skirt among many others.
Couple it with a pair from the collection. The shoes take a maximalist turn with its generous amount of embroidery, hand beading, and sparkle. Throw in some metal studs, jewels, gems, florals, stars, fur, and feathers—you get the idea!
Contrasting the ladies’ wear is the menswear that honored tradition and simplicity. Subscribing to the theme of “The Urban Uniform”, the collection consists of cool, easy-to-put together items that become the sartorial foundation of a modern man’s wardrobe. Tinged in pink, black, brown, blues, abstract camo, and shades of bordeaux, the silhouettes take a slim form and employ functional details. Key items include a TECHNI-COLE™ sport coat, stretch roll-sleeve crew, neoprene hoodie, and the TECHNI-COLE™ Chelsea L-pocket paint.
The modern classics like the iconic Oxford take over the men’s footwear. Each one is updated with a straightforward, clean look and TECHNI-COLE™ features, including the microclimate comfort system, 35.5® Technology. Other features include a water-resistant suede finish, rubber bottoms for inclement weather, and ultra-lightweight flexible construction for added comfort. There’s also the suit sneaker for the snazzy sneakerheads out there.
Enjoy these in colors of bordeaux, rust, navy, and browns, and in a unique combination of materials like napa, suede with pebble, boiled wood in gray heather.
