Kenneth Cole Fall 2014: Tough urban gypsies

The inspiration:  First, there’s Kenneth Cole’s fascination with social media, as he proved with an opening video starring Alan Cumming (of “Cabaret” and “Good Wife” fame) and (“SNL’” alum) Rachel Dratch. In a word—hilarious—but more on that in a second. Cole is also interested in “global travel,” and the feeling of liberation one gets from it.  So he observed in his program notes, and in this line, which is chockfull of comfy layering pieces—what you’d want if you were lucky enough to be an “urban gypsy” wandering the globe.

The vibe:  Very tongue-in-chic, as his signature video proved.  In it, Cumming and Dratch texti and one-up each other on how fabulous their lives are—the spin classes they’re loving, hanging with the Obamas…lies, all.  (“My Louboutins are Lou-beautiful,” Dratch texts. “More like Lou-SER,” Cummings replies.)  It ends with a question Cole poses for all of us:  “What’s real, and what’s for show?”

The lust-o-meter:  This question of persona, and how you want to present yourself to the world, plays out in some stylish gear—particularly the broad blazers or moto jackets paired with pinstripe tops made of soft, float-y chiffon, sometimes asymmetrical and trailing off behind as you walk.  The palette is dark—grays, black, a few pops of red—as if “mediated by an Instagram filter,” Cole notes.  One stand-out: the herringbone bomber, oversized and plush as a sleeping bag, and cinched at the waist.

Hmmm...:  The footwear tended toward the chunky and utilitarian—combat boots, or lug-soled, snakeskin booties.  And then there are those leather and knit fingerless gloves. These are tough-gal accessories, which look hot, sure—but what about women whose tastes are softer, or more  conservative?  More sifting through the racks will be required.

Our take:  Whether you’re a tough gal or not, there are a slew of fun, eye-catching layering pieces here—some customers may just have to pick and choose more carefully than others.