Kenneth Cole Pumps

The Kenneth Cole 'Kinky Boots' Collection - Heels

When the play "Kinky Boots" came out in 2013,  Kenneth Cole created a limited-edition capsule collection that features three styles inspired by the play: A red patent leather peep-toe pump and two knee-high boots. The shoes hit stores shortly after the play opened in New York and 100 percent of the proceeds went to The Kenneth Cole Foundation's project in support of the Human Rights Campaign.  A very worthy cause. 

This week when I saw the play, very near the beginning, the main character Charlie is having a discussion with his girlfriend over a pair of shoes in a display case.  She wants them! They are red patent leather open toe pumps like the drawing above.  Likely these are the pumps designed by Kenneth Cole that have become part of the stage props for the play.  They are beautiful!

Either male of female, if the sight of these glorious shoes does not quicken your pulse, then you are just not looking close enough! 

I love shoes!

Kinky Boots

Production Costume Drawings

Tuesday evening I had the immense pleasure of seeing Kinky Boots the Broadway play again.  Likely all of us have seen the movie and if not I highly recommend it.  It is about us – about acceptance, about our fathers, about business, and about fun.  Need I show more than the costume drawing above, all worn by men.  Here is the play/movie synopsis:

Based on a true story and the indie film of the same name, Kinky Boots follows young Brit Charlie Price, who abandons his family’s shoe factory to live with his demanding girlfriend in London. After the unexpected death of his father, Charlie returns to the struggling factory and finds it’s up to him to figure out a way to keep the business alive. Enter Lola, a fabulous drag queen, who gives Charlie the idea to create ladies’ shoes for men. Soon, the factory is turning out “kinky boots” under the supervision of Charlie and Lola, but can this harebrained scheme actually work? And can these two extremely different men find a common ground and become real friends?

And yes, the music was by Cyndi Lauper - my Monday post.   

Here are some beautiful quotes from the play:

Big Mike: Well, you wouldn't put a frock on. If you don't want to get off with blokes, why put a frock on?

Lola: Thing is, Mike, ask any woman what she likes most in a man. Compassion, tenderness, sensitivity. Traditionally the female virtues. Perhaps what women secretly desire is a man who is fundamentally a woman.

___________

Charlie Price: [describing his plans to make boots for drag queens] The factory that started the century providing a range of footwear for men will go into the next century providing footwear for... a range of men

Currently playing at the Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 West 45th Street, New York, NY and the road show playing in many cities around the country.  It is in Fort Lauderdale, Broward Performing Art Center  March 2-13 and other cities.  Check the schedule here.