Kenneth Cole uses debate over Syria to promote shoe line on Twitter
He did it again.
Kenneth Cole apparently thinks the current debate over U.S. military action in Syria is a good reason to remind Twitter users about his clothing line.
"'Boots on the ground' or not," a tweet published on Thursday on Cole's verified Twitter feed read, "let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers."
The tweet included the hashtag "#Footwear."
"Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers. #Footwear
— Kenneth Cole (@KennethCole) September 5, 2013
The message, sent to Cole's 55,000 followers, was met with immediate scorn.
Syria? For shoes... Wow “@KennethCole: "Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers. #Footwear”
— Amy Otto (@CAAmyO) September 5, 2013
Mocking war to sell fashion? Really? RT @KennethCole: "Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers.
— Heather Whaling (@prtini) September 5, 2013
@KennethCole Not cool OR socially responsible.
— Pauline Collins (@PaulinePR) September 5, 2013
Not funny or clever. Stop. RT @KennethCole "Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers. #Footwear
— Sarah Rappaport (@SarahRapp) September 5, 2013
How many seconds until he deletes? "@KennethCole "Boots on the ground" or not, let's not forget about sandals, pumps and loafers. #Footwear"
— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) September 5, 2013
It's not the first time Cole has put his sandal, pump and/or loafer in his mouth.
In 2011, Cole used the so-called Arab spring — and its trending "#Cairo" hashtag — as an opportunity to promote the launch of his spring collection:
Millions are in uproar in #Cairo. Rumor is they heard our new spring collection is now available online at http://bit.ly/KCairo -KC
Cole later deleted the tweet and issued an apology.
And earlier this year, Cole drew the ire of critics for making light of the gun-control debate to market his footwear.
"Regardless of the right to bear arms, we in no way condone the right to bare feet," Cole wrote.