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Designer Kenneth Cole's Twitter feed has published an unfortunate tweet "hijacking" the #Cairo hashtag to promote their new spring collection--nothing like using mob violence to promote some nifty mauve silk. Naturally, they've received a huge amount of outrage and have since apologized for the sentiment. Here's the offending tweet:

Millions are in uproar in #Cairo. Rumor is they heard our new spring collection is now available online at http://bit.ly/KCairo -KCless than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Kenneth Cole
KennethCole


Re Egypt tweet: we weren't  intending to make light of a serious situation. We understand the sensitivity of this historic moment -KCless than a minute ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®Kenneth Cole
KennethCole


And a snapshot of reactions:


  • The Next Web - "Oh dear, we thought that big brands might have learnt that hijacking hashtags isn’t a good idea"
  • Advertising Age - "Kenneth Cole and others in the media and marketing industries not only suffer from a lack of tact, they suffer from a lack of historical knowledge and the ability to grasp that the situation in Egypt could get a hell of lot uglier than it is even at this moment."
  • Styleite - "Apparently Kenneth Cole knows there’s nothing like a violent political revolution to boost sales!"

Idiots at Kenneth Cole try to promote new shoes with Egypt tweet http://read.bi/hdMVmjless than a minute ago via TweetDeckHenry Blodget
hblodget


Starvation in Sudan! They're going to look trim and sexy in our new Spring lineup! #kennethcoletweetsless than a minute ago via TweetDeckdaveweigel
daveweigel


Update: and the Fake PR Twitter feed has appeared:

Rolling through Germany? Gestapo by our new Berlin store! #KennethColeTweetsless than a minute ago via webKennethColePR
KennethColePR


Update II: 

"I apologize to everyone who was offended by my insensitive tweet about the situation in Egypt. I’ve dedicated my life to raising awareness about serious social issues, and in hindsight my attempt at humor regarding a nation liberating themselves against oppression was poorly timed and absolutely inappropriate"

--Kenneth Cole, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer

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