I stopped by one of Kenneth Cole’s stores yesterday to celebrate the unveiling of Kenneth Cole x Brian Burkhardt. As the winner of a Project Accessory challenge, a clutch, belt, bracelet, and two necklaces designed by Burkhardt were picked up by Kenneth Cole and are currently being sold at Kenneth Cole stores and online with 100% off net profits going to AWEARNESS, The Kenneth Cole Foundation in support of amfAR. Pretty lust-worthy, no? The pieces are even better in person and while the image above makes it look as though you need to remove the horn every time you open the clutch, the bag actually opens via a magnetic closure and the horn is always secured in place.
I had the chance to chat with Cole and Burkhardt, amidst the huge crowd of fans who stopped by the store to snap iPhone photos and ogle both designers, and Burkhardt immediately noticed my toting around his clutch and lit up with excitement. Friendly and vivacious, it was obvious that Burkhardt was doing his best to soak up the moment. I asked both designers if this was the beginning of more to come and Burkhardt exclaimed, “I’d love to do more! But obviously I have to let Kenneth Cole answer that one.” Cole, for his part, told me that “we’ll see what’s to come. For now, we’re happy to have these pieces in our stores.” Cole, who was casual chic in a chunky knit and jeans, told me what it was like to be a judge on a fashion reality TV show, saying that it was a great experience that he enjoyed very much. Would he ever consider being a permanent host on such a show? “We’ll see,” he said adding, “I would have to consider that if and when the opportunity arises.”
Then, because I could tell that Burkhardt was smiling and bubbling with energy on my right, I turned my attention to him and asked him what it was like to see his pieces in a retail store, to which he replied, “It’s unbelievable! Working with the Kenneth Cole team has been a dream. The team is truly amazing!” As for what set the Miami based designer apart from the other contestants on the show, Cole told me “he took more chances than the others and a lot of them paid off.”
