Let's rephrase this discussion...
Is a Kimber CDP II Compact to pretty to be subjected to the indignities of everyday holster wear, scuffs, nicks and abrasions when an ugly Plastic Gun will work?
Naw, it's a Kimber, throw it in a holster and put some use on it. But being a Series II Kimber, I'd first run it hard to prove it works, and I'd have to see if it suffers from the timing issue where you can depress the grip safety enough to get the sear to let the hammer go, but not clear the firing pin block. Google and do some reading, you'll find references to it. You can
start here. (Full disclosure, my brother had a 4" lightweight Series I Kimber that was a dog and I've considered Kimber an advertising company that makes guns ever since.)
As for whether or not the 1911 is still relevant, it's a semi-automatic pistol, so why shouldn't it still be relevant? People carry 5 and 6 shot revolvers on a regular basis. There is a plethora of mini 9mm and .380-ACP that hold 5-7 shots, which to me makes the capacity argument moot. The primary considerations against the 1911 for an individual in our current day are weight and cost. Both of which are valid concerns, as I can't argue that my Walther PPQ or any of the Glocks I've owned and used aren't great pistols at very reasonable prices with weights that make/made them very easy to carry. In point of fact, the PPQ is my most frequently carried pistol because it's compact and lightweight.
Yet when it comes time to go to the range to put rounds through the pistols, one of my full-size Colt 1911s (.38 Super and .45 ACP) or one of my 4" medium-frame S&W revolvers (586 .357 Magnum, 15 .38 Special) is more likely to get called up than the Walther. Why? Because they are much more pleasant and satisfying to shoot, and they all work better for me for putting lead on targets. Yes, my 5" .45 ACP 1911 throwing 230gr LRN reloads is more pleasant to shoot than a 4" polymer framed 9mm wonder pistol throwing 115gr FMJ Speer Lawman. The difference gets more pronounced if I switch to soft 200gr SWC target ammo in the .45 ACP. It's a combination of recoil impulse and muzzle blast, with the 9mm producing much more bark.
Now I think I'll throw the .45 on to carry around today. And debate if I should get a Lightweight Commander in 9mm or .45 ACP later.