Gold and Stripes and Everything Nice

I was so excited to have the opportunity to interview Kenneth Cole last week at his Spring 2013 presentation, far before I had any inkling of what the presentation would be like, though I've recently had a few up-close-and-personal interactions with the brand. While Kenneth Cole might not have been on my radar much prior to their major social media faux pas, the last few years have seen a major turn around from the brand - with tons of truly innovative online strategizing (including lots of organic relationships with bloggers) and really exciting design, (I mean, this gold skirt? Can I, please?) Continue...

Before the presentation started, I walked through to the backstage area (where I did the above interview), and enjoyed watching all the models get gussied up, commiserating about the impending storm with friends from DBA, and running into Joe Zee from Elle Magazine (who just so happened to be matching Anthony from Closet Freaks - see photo for proof). While Kenneth Cole and I were doing our interview, he told me about the inspirations behind the collection - middle eastern and north African cultures, increasing global community and the transition from highly seasonal fashion to an almost seasonless world.
As each look was completed head-to-toe on the models, they were shot for the Spring Look Book. It was like a really fashionable speed relay. (Did I mention Joe Zee did the styling?! I think it shows.)

The accessories and various textures throughout the collection were my favorite parts of the collection. Sturdy box bags with gleaming gold finishes, chainmail and satin and lamé, metallics effortlessly paired with neutrals, feather-light sheers with bold stripes...
The above was one of my absolute favorite looks! I think it completely appeals to my Lydia Deetz/Wednesday Addams/modern aesthete sensibilities. Plus, the idea of pairing matching horizontal and vertical stripes is so simple but so utterly ingenious to me. Like, why haven't I thought of this before?! I guess that's the thing with good style, though, right? It shouldn't look like it took any effort. It just happens. Like that. So, what do you think of the collection? Are you as impressed (and surprised) by it as I am? It's so... cool. At least, I think so.