Kenneth Cole Is Also Redefining Our Very Notion of What Urban Means Today
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elements fuse with more traditional tailoring, and there is a relaxed, wearable, upbeat unisex vibe throughout. Leather makes an appearance, but the effect is not aggressive-it’s powerfully positive. Ultimately, the spring/summer 2014 collection does so much more than just reflect what is happening in the culture: Kenneth Cole is also redefining our very notion of what urban means today. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS In 1985 Kenneth Cole was the first member of the fashion community to take a public stand in the fight against AIDS. Since then he has continued MARKET innovative problem solving. ACHIEVEMENTS to support the global fight through both personal Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. is an American Known mainly for its shoes Kenneth Cole Divine Design Humanitarian of the Year (1996) and corporate initiatives including the dedication of fashion house founded in 1982 by Kenneth Cole. Productions also makes stylish clothing and Footwear News Man of the Year (1996) an ongoing portion of marketing budget to public Wanting to preview his line of shoes at Market accessories under three brands: Kenneth Cole CFDA Humanitarian of the Year (1997) awareness initiatives. Week at the New York Hilton, but unable to afford New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole, and Unlisted. It Creative Coalition Spotlight Award (1997) Cole continues to serve as a National Board the purchase of a hotel room or showroom to also licenses the name to products such as hosiery, Forbes Magazine Best 200 Small Companies in Member of both AmFAR: The American Foundation display his items, Kenneth Cole inquired about luggage, watches, and eyewear. Kenneth Cole America for AIDS Research since 1985 and the HELP USA parking a trailer two blocks from the Hilton Hotel. continues to expand, adding new lines for women FFANY Fashion Medal of Honor (1997) Homeless project since its inception in 1987. When discovering that permits for trailers were and children and a men’s and women’s fragrance. Amnesty International Media Spotlight Award Kenneth Cole has been recognised for his design only granted to utility and production companies More than 4,500 department and specialty stores (1998) and business talents as well as for his philanthropic innovative Cole changed the name of his company carry its products. Kenneth Cole also operates AmfAR Award of Courage (2000) involvement. from Kenneth Cole Incorporated to Kenneth Cole about 90 retail and outlet stores, catalogues and NY Magazine Fashion Award of the Year (2000) The Creative Coalition honoured Kenneth with be made available to everyone, everywhere. controversial but are always meant to stir positive Productions and applied for a permit to film the a Web site. CEO Kenneth Cole owns 45% of the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year Nominee their Spotlight Award for dedication to increasing The Kenneth Cole spring/summer 2014 change. One such example was his campaign for full-length film, “The Birth of a Shoe Company”. company and controls almost all of the voting rights. (2000) public awareness; Amnesty International honoured collection for women and men embraces this idea, Kenneth Cole with their 1998 Media Spotlight World AIDS Day in 2005. He designed T-Shirts for In two and a half days, Kenneth Cole Productions In 1994 Kenneth Cole went public, and has been Italian Trade Commission Life in Style Award (2001) not only through the device of a live stream Vine Award. Kenneth was simultaneously chosen as the campaign which were sold at such stores as sold forty thousand pairs of shoes, while chronicling included on Forbes annual list of 200 Best Small Univ. of Illinois School of Public Health Honorary mosaic that will broadcast the fashion show to the Humanitarian of the Year by Divine Design and the Barneys New York, Scoop and Louis Boston. The the beginning of the company on film. To this Companies four times. Doctorate (2001) world, but also by celebrating the creative energy CFDA presented their Award for Humanitarian messages on the shirts stated either, “We All Have day the Company is still named Kenneth Cole Apparel Group LLC, a Dubai based exclusive Manhattanville College Honorary Doctorate (2001) AIDS” or “I Have AIDS.” Cole created the shirts in the digital age embodies. Excellence to Kenneth Cole in 1996. Productions Inc. and serves as a constant reminder licensee, represents this premier fashion shoes and Fashion Accessories Benefit Ball Achievement hopes that those with or without AIDS would wear In particular, the collections recognise that New Kenneth Cole has been awarded the of the importance of resourcefulness, creativity and accessories brand in the Gulf, Award (2002) the shirts, to help diminish the stigma attached to York, the metropolis where Kenneth Cole was born Extraordinary Voice Award by Mother’s Voices for Human Rights Equity Corporate Equality Award the disease. (2002) and from where the brand continues to take its his continued efforts in AIDS awareness. AmfAR Chairman of the Board (2005) inspiration, is itself buzzing with a positive force. Cole was recipient of the Council on Foundations BRAND VALUES 1996 Humanitarian Leadership award. National Arts Club Humanitarian Award (2007) Kenneth Cole reflects the upbeat urban energy Confident FABB Fashion Meets Compassion (2007) of this city of the world, with its blend of cultures Kenneth Cole has received the footwear industry’s highest honour as Footwear News’ Smart. Authentic. Bold AMY Award YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund (2008) and confident, free-thinkers. High style and street Clever Person of The Year”. Northeastern University Honorary Doctorate style mix here: the rules are being broken. A Fashion Footwear Association of New York Original. Versatile. Witty (2009) key reference is eighties Harlem Chic: polished Cool Legal Aid Society Theodore Roosevelt Award for (FFANY) honoured Kenneth Cole with The Fashion streetwear that mixes leisurewear and sportswear, Medal of Honour Award at their 1997 Gala. Iconic. Metropolitan. Sexy. Relevant Corporate Responsibility (2009) Awear and brings colour and texture into a traditional Kenneth Cole Productions continues to declare urban aesthetic. There is a healthy play on textures Social Conscious. Thought Provoking. Engaged HISTORY “What you stand for is more important than what and patterns, with graphic elements that hint at you stand in” and “To be aware is more important Fashion Designer Kenneth Cole founded his www.kennethcole.com street art, and metallic detailing that references the than what you wear.” company, Kenneth Cole Productions, with the origins of bling. debut of a ladies’ footwear collection in December But the craftsmanship and artisanal skill of the PROMOTION of 1982. Today the company manufactures past also has its place, alongside the contemporary, Kenneth Cole’s socially conscious advertising for internationally and distributes men’s and women’s technical and utilitarian. Sporty and athletic the causes that he champions can be somewhat footwear, accessories and clothing under the Kenneth Cole, Reaction, and unlisted.com labels, as well as offering over 30 product categories. Things you didn’t know about Kenneth Cole retail stores have expanded throughout the United States and abroad in Kenneth Cole Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and the GCC. The Kenneth Cole Catalogue mails to over l Since 1985 Kenneth Cole has been openly three million consumers a year and the award- involved in publicly supporting AIDS awareness and winning Kenneth Cole (www.kennethcole.com) and research. He is considered the first in the fashion Reaction websites receive thousands of hits per day. Kenneth Cole’s marketing savvy has earned the industry to do so. l Company a renowned image as a forerunner of He uses fashion as a medium to promote fashion and trends. His controversial advertising socially conscious ads to help fight various causes campaign has garnered worldwide attention for its from AIDS to homelessness. He has donated humour and social consciousness. proceeds to such organisations as Mentoring USA, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AmfAR and en.wikipedia.org/ PRODUCT wiki/Rock_the_Vote. The lives we lead today are mediated increasingly l In August 2006 it was announced that Kenneth through our use of modern technology. The Cole Productions would stop selling fur in all of free-play of new media and the instantaneous their garments for the Fall 2007 Fashion Season. documentary possibilities of social networking l In 1998 People Magazine voted Cole as platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Vine allow “Sexiest Businessman” of the Year. us all to curate the moment. Now everyone is a l In October 2007 Cole guest-starred in the Ugly stylist and an art director. The world is consumed Betty episode Betty’s Wait Problem with myriad points of view. And through ever- l In 2008 the company celebrated its 25th year, emerging technologies, our points of view can now with events to commemorate it. 58 elements fuse with more traditional tailoring, and there is a relaxed, wearable, upbeat unisex vibe throughout. Leather makes an appearance, but the effect is not aggressive-it’s powerfully positive. Ultimately, the spring/summer 2014 collection does so much more than just reflect what is happening in the culture: Kenneth Cole is also redefining our very notion of what urban means today. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS In 1985 Kenneth Cole was the first member of the fashion community to take a public stand in the fight against AIDS. Since then he has continued MARKET innovative problem solving. ACHIEVEMENTS to support the global fight through both personal Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. is an American Known mainly for its shoes Kenneth Cole Divine Design Humanitarian of the Year (1996) and corporate initiatives including the dedication of fashion house founded in 1982 by Kenneth Cole. Productions also makes stylish clothing and Footwear News Man of the Year (1996) an ongoing portion of marketing budget to public Wanting to preview his line of shoes at Market accessories under three brands: Kenneth Cole CFDA Humanitarian of the Year (1997) awareness initiatives.