He’s got sole. At the 38th annual FN Achievement Awards ceremony, to be held Dec. 4 in New York, veteran footwear designer Kenneth Cole will be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor that has previously been bestowed on designers and executives including Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Sam and Libby Edelman, Bruce Nordstrom and Vince Camuto.

Cole and his namesake company have been an industry fixture for more than 40 years.

Throughout his career, Cole has used his platform to support a range of social justice movements, most recently focusing on ending mental health stigmas. In 2019, Cole helped to found The Mental Health Coalition, a large-scale effort aimed at bringing together influential nonprofits, businesses, brands, celebrities and influencers in a coordinated effort to destigmatize mental health conditions. The company has prioritized wellness outside its business with charitable collection drops, as well as internally through employee programs.

The designer has also been known for his eye-brow-raising ads that have tackled controversial topics such as gun reform, the Iraq war, AIDS epidemic, climate change and much more. “You can change your outfit, you can outfit change,” has been one of the brand’s go-to taglines, for instance.

“That’s the ultimate challenge,” Cole told FN in September 2023. “How do we do what we do in the ordinary course and connect it to something bigger? And that’s something I’ve tried to do for 40 years, and still try to do.”

It’s a big year for Cole. Earlier this month, his documentary, “A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole,” premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival. The doc explores his life, career and activism.

In 2019, Cole and Donna Karan were honored with the Icon Award for Social Impact winners at the FNAAs for their philanthropic work with Haiti. Through Karan’s Urban Zen retail concept and Cole’s Gentle Souls footwear label, the duo debuted a shoe collection featuring 10 Haitian-inspired looks made by a group of the country’s artisans.

Cole will join more soon-to-be announced winners at the 2024 FNAAs on Dec. 4 in New York.

For sponsorship and ticket information, contact Samantha Rumsky at srumsky@fairchildfashion.com.

Ariana DeBose is using her platform for good. The Oscar winner was recently tapped as the face of Kenneth Cole’s fall ’24 women’s collection, and on Tuesday night, she joined the company’s newly appointed women’s creative director, Emily Cole, to celebrate the campaign titled, “United We Stand.”

For DeBose, deciding to partner with brands isn’t as easy as yes or no.

“When the rise of ‘Ariana DeBose’ happened, I realized I had more opportunity to work in this space and partner directly with brands. I took a lot of time to think about what I wanted that to look like,” she told FN. “I always look for companies with a purpose, with a soul, and Kenneth Cole, historically, the way that they have chosen to move through the business and the industry has 100% always had a heart and a conscience. And it’s not only about doing good business, but about affecting change in the world or in their own backyard, whether that be New York City or just in their small corner of the industry, and quite frankly, it’s not small.”

Kenneth Cole, the designer and company as a whole, is known for its dedication to social impact. Its current partnership with I AM A VOTER and upcoming jewelry collaboration aimed at raising funds and mental health awareness with the Mental Health Coalition Kenneth founded were touted during the event, for instance.

Plus, DeBose’s Kenneth Cole fall ’24 campaign is all about female empowerment and encouraging women to use their voices in the fight for change and equality.

She added, “I am someone with an identity that can frequently be politicized in different ways. So for me, every day that I wake up and I walk out my front door is a day that I am have an opportunity to express myself through fashion and make an even greater statement with who I am.”

DeBose, an activist in her own right, has been outspoken about reproductive rights, LGBTQIA+ issues, representation in Hollywood and more. She became the first openly queer Afro-Latina to win an Academy Award in 2022.

“[Fashion] is not really about the red carpet moment, it’s about the everyday,” she continued. “I have to feel confident and empowered every moment that I walk through the world. Clothing is my armor. It matters, and if I don’t feel confident or empowered or just encouraged to be my most authentic self in them, I don’t wear them. I’m very much wearing Kenneth Cole, and that tells you, in my opinion, everything.”

Kenneth Cole is heading to the big screen.

“A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole” is set to premiere at the Hamptons International Film Festival this weekend.

The doc will explore the life, career and activism of the veteran footwear designer. Known for merging fashion with social causes, Cole has addressed issues such as AIDS, homelessness, human rights, and mental health through his innovative advertising and business practices.

Cole has also been known for his eyebrow-raising ads that have tackled controversial topics such as gun reform, the Iraq war, climate change and much more.

The film, directed by Dori Berinstein, features interviews with various influential figures from scientists, collaborators, partners and employees, and uses archival footage to showcase Cole’s significant impact on both the fashion industry and social advocacy.

The documentary also highlights Kenneth Cole’s enduring commitment to business and corporate responsibility over the past 40 years as his company, Kenneth Cole Productions, still remains strong. Most recently, the company launched first women’s apparel collection under the creative direction of Emily Cole. The highly anticipated fall 2024 ready-to-wear lined launched Sept. 30, featuring a campaign starring Academy Award-winning actress Ariana DeBose.

In August, Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. and Marc Fisher Footwear Company teamed up for men’s footwear. As part of the new partnership, Marc Fisher Footwear Company is responsible for the development, sourcing, production and sales of all Kenneth Cole men’s footwear under the Kenneth Cole New York and Kenneth Cole Reaction labels.

Outside of business, Cole remains steadfast on his on fight to end mental health stigmas.

In 2019, Cole helped to found The Mental Health Coalition, a large-scale effort aimed at bringing together influential nonprofits, businesses, brands, celebrities and influencers in a coordinated effort to destigmatize mental health conditions. The doc will feature more of his work in this space.

The film is executive produced by Geralyn White Dreyfus, Regina K. Scully, Ryan Harrington, Elizabeth Armstrong.

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. and Marc Fisher Footwear Company are teaming up for men’s footwear.

As part of the new partnership, Marc Fisher Footwear Company will be responsible for the development, sourcing, production and sales of all Kenneth Cole men’s footwear under the Kenneth Cole New York and Kenneth Cole Reaction labels.

The first market where retailers can see the new styles will be December 2024, where the fall 2025 seasonal range will be showcased. The collection, which will include both dress and casual shoes, will be sold at better department stores and select specialty stores globally, the fashion company said.

Kenneth Cole, chairman and chief creative officer of Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc., said in a statement on Monday that he is “excited” about this next chapter of his brand’s footwear business.

“After growing our brands side by side as peers in the industry for many years, I am looking forward to working closely with Marc, who I have great respect,” Cole said. “[He] is equally passionate and devoted to redefining how men dress from toe to head and is committed to how men look and feel below the ankles. With this unwavering dedication and remarkable success over the decades, I have complete faith in entrusting him with my brand.”

Marc Fisher, founder of Marc Fisher Footwear, noted that he is “very much looking forward” to partnering with Cole. “Together, we aim to create a comprehensive range of footwear that truly resonates with today’s versatile men, aligning with their diverse lifestyle needs,” he said.

“We are thrilled to partner with Kenneth Cole as its exclusive men’s footwear license,” added Susan Itzkowitz, president of Marc Fisher Footwear. “Working alongside Kenneth and his team as partners to celebrate, elevate, and build its iconic men’s business is a welcomed opportunity to continue solidifying Marc Fisher Footwear in the men’s footwear space.”

This is the latest footwear partnership for Marc Fisher Footwear, which inked two shoe licensing deals with Authentic Brands Group-owned labels last year.

In June 2023, Marc Fisher became the core footwear partner for Hunter in the U.S. after Authentic acquired the British heritage footwear and outerwear brand for a reported $124.8 million. With this deal, Marc Fisher took on Hunter’s footwear design, wholesale and e-commerce operations in the territory.

And just one month later, Marc Fisher became Rockport’s U.S. footwear partner after Authentic scooped up the heritage shoe brand out of bankruptcy. Marc Fisher also partners with Authentic for its Nine West and Bandolino brands.

Separate from Authentic’s range of brands, Marc Fisher also produces footwear for companies such as Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Guess, in addition to its in-house labels Marc Fisher, Marc Fisher LTD and Easy Spirit.

Kenneth Cole has tapped Sophia Chang for its latest collaboration in celebration of Mother’s Day. In addition to Mother’s Day, the brand is also using the collection to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month with 100 percent of net proceeds being donated to The Kenneth Cole Foundation in support of crucial mental health efforts.

The capsule will include adult sneakers priced at $150 and kids sneakers retailing at $95. Additionally, the launch will include kids’ tees as well as adult tees and hoodies.

Kenneth Cole joined forces with the illustrator and designer for this collection to use her story to inspire others.

“Kenneth Cole has always been a brand that’s all about destigmatizing mental health,” Chang explained in a brand promo video. “For this collection, Kenneth Cole and I decided to partner up and create a small capsule for moms and for kids to celebrate and bring that awareness of the mom journey, the chaos, the joys, the highs, the lows. The net proceeds of the entire collection is going to be going towards maternal mental health through the Kenneth Cole Foundation, so support your friends that are mothers, that are pregnant, because we can all use it.”

The collection will also help to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, which takes place in May, and Chang is a proud Taiwanese-American.

This capsule also encourages mothers and their kids to express their artistic side. All tees will be shipped with a complimentary order of fabric markers as a gift with the purchase so that the Kenneth Cole x Sophia Chang gear can be personalized.

The Kenneth Cole x Sophia Chang collection will be available on KennethCole.com starting on May 1.

Business leaders from across NYC came together at Kenneth Cole’s Chelsea headquarters on Tuesday morning to kick-off the inaugural Wellbeing at Work Day, a citywide initiative aimed at changing the culture around mental wellness at work.

“I believe that the mental health crisis is both the oldest and the newest pandemic,” Cole added. “One in four people will deal with a mental health condition during their lives, which is safe to say that we all know someone in our family, community or workplace that will be affected. So, we are all in some way struggling with this crisis. What makes it so overwhelming is that two thirds of those who suffer, do so in the proverbial shadows because they don’t have access to resources, and they don’t have the tools to address their struggles.”

The fashion designer and founder of The Mental Health Coalition added that anxiety and depression is the leading cause of absenteeism in the workplace. What’s more, Cole noted that 12 billion workdays, and over $1 trillion, are lost every year because of mental health complications.

As such, Cole and organizations like One Mind at Work, NAMI, Mental Health America, and the American Psychiatric Association Foundation have come together to launch this new awareness day.

Through this initiative, businesses and employers are encouraged to take the Wellbeing at Work Pledge, a commitment to create a supportive workplace for mental health. Included with that commitment, business leaders are asked to institute best practices for mental health in the workplace, as recommended by One Mind at Work, an expert on workplace mental health.

Going forward, these leaders will honor the first Tuesday of December every year as the official Wellbeing at Work Day.

“What makes this initiative so meaningful, is that the workplace is the only place where traditional, operational resources – human, administrative, and financial – can be efficiently leveraged to transform the health and wellbeing of large populations and their families,” said Cole. “If we all do this together, we will change culture.”

Emceed by Katie Couric, Cole enlisted NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Dr. Deepak Chopra and singer and songwriter Em Beihold to help unveil the new initiative at Tuesday’s event.

Couric, who opened the event with her remarks, praised the awareness day for helping to end the stigma of mental health in the workplace.

As for Mayor Adams, he spoke about his own mental health journey while highlighting all that the City of New York is doing to help its citizens. “I remember sitting in my kitchen after 22 years in law enforcement and my son asking me if I was okay,” Adams recalled. “And I remember the tears running down my face. Because the reality of the fast pace of policing and being part of an organization like the police department, and never really taking a moment to reflect on the dangerous moments we encounter was overwhelming. And coming to the realization that I was broken in so many places, so many pieces, and self-medicating myself with things in items of different forms. But the reality was that I needed help.”

“That help often eludes us, especially in communities of color where we’re taught to ‘suck it up,’” Adams added. “Any sign of saying you need help was a sign of weakness, and we could not afford to display weakness. But as I sat there with my son, I realized I wanted to see him walk down the aisle, I wanted to play with my grandchildren, I wanted to see him buy his first home and graduate from college. This became my motivator that I need to make sure I put the pieces together.”

The Mayor went on to add that New Yorkers are living through “unprecedented change and overwhelming challenges,” in large part due to a mental health crisis.

“The impact of mental health on corporate morale is undeniable, and by partnering with business leaders across New York City to prioritize wellbeing at work, we can inspire a genuine culture shift and challenge the status quo,” Adams said.

Footwear industry leaders are using their platforms to speak out in support of Israel in the wake of Hamas terrorists’ devastating attacks on the country over the weekend.

On Saturday morning, Hamas launched an invasion through the border of Gaza, killing and injuring hundreds of men, women and children in Israel and taking close to 150 hostages back into Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war with Hamas and launched a wave of counterattacks on Gaza. As of Wednesday, according to The Wall Street Journal, at least 1,200 people had died in Israel, with hundreds more injured by Hamas. In Gaza, Palestinian authorities said 900 people had been killed and more injured from retaliatory attacks.

Ronnie Fieg, founder, CEO and creative director of Kith, took to Instagram stories on Tuesday to discuss how he has been handling the situation in Israel, where his family is from.

“My mind and heart keep coming back to hoping for peace and trying to process a tragedy brought forth by terrorists who only want to see pain,” Fieg wrote. “No matter what, I remain in support of decency and pray for strength, safety and peace.”

In a reel posted to Instagram, Kenneth Cole called out the “flagrant human rights violations in Israel” that he said undermine “our fundamental humanity.”

“If we stay quiet and allow this to happen anywhere, we are essentially enabling it to happen everywhere,” Cole said. “Our physical and mental health and our collective well-being requires that we address these gross atrocities and hate-fueled rhetoric. As I’ve often said, and I strongly believe, our voices are our greatest accessory.”

Designer Isaac Mizrahi shared a photo of the Israeli flag on his Instagram grid earlier this week with the caption, “I stand with the people in Israel.” Footwear and handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff earlier this week also shared a post on Instagram with the words “I stand with Israel” beneath an image of the star of David. In a statement on her stories, she shared: “While you might follow this brand for fashion and handbags, there is also a proud Jewish founder behind it. Me.”

She continued: “The hate, antisemitism and utter brutality that both innocent victims and Jews have faced the last few days has made me sick and question if there is hope for humankind. The power to love is in all of us and now is the time to listen, learn and not allow moments like this to divide. There is no justification in terrorism. We need your voice, we need you all to speak up. We can help one another and we can unite.”

In addition to designers, leaders from the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) and the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) also shared statements highlighting their groups’ support of Israel.

“This brutal attack touches many of us in the industry personally and deeply,” said AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar. “We are devastated that hate leads one people to attack another people as they worship. We stand with Israel and pray for a speedy resolution that leads to lasting peace.”

FDRA president and CEO Matt Priest said in a Monday post on LinkedIn that the industry group and its members “stand with Israel during this trying time and in support of our Jewish brothers and sisters in the #footwear industry.”

Throughout the years, Kenneth Cole has used his platform to support a range of social justice movements, most recently focusing on ending mental health stigmas. The designer has also been known for his eye-brow-raising ads that have tackled controversial topics such as gun reform, the Iraq war, climate change and much more.

On Tuesday night in New York, Cole hosted his 40th anniversary party on the rooftop of the brand’s headquarters and reflected on some of his favorite campaign taglines over four decades.

We all walk in different shoes.

“I feel that reflects the notion of diversity, DEI acceptance and understanding each other for who they are and their terms. And that’s something we’ve just tried to do, as a business, as a brand, personally, professionally, collectively,” said Cole.

What you stand for is even more important than what you stand in.

“This is the notion that you need to come outside yourself. Sometimes we take what we do, who we are, what we wear, and we make it maybe bigger than it needs to be. The fact is the greater context is more important than the content.”

You can change your outfit, you can outfit change.

“That’s the ultimate challenge,” he said. “How do we do what we do in the ordinary course and connect it to something bigger? And that’s something I’ve tried to do for 40 years, and still try to do.”

It’s great to be known for your shoes, but it’s even better to be known for your soul.

“This line is personal. I think somehow metaphorically, it’s bigger than that, and speaks to everybody in different ways. And it’s about why do we do what we do? What is the significance of what we do? And does it matter? And if so, in the end, what does it all mean? So these are questions we all ask ourselves.”

During the event, there were performances from Cole Redding and Eyeglass Strings. Guests included Allison Holker, Rachel Recchia, Afiya Bennett, Tyroe Muhafidin, Shaun Ross, among others.

Inspired by the “Barbie” movie, Kenneth Cole is offering buyers the option to customize their best-selling “Kam” sneaker in a hot pink shade.

On the brand’s website, customers are given a choice of five fonts and five colors, allowing for endless customization possibilities. The shoe retails for $150 and comes in a wide array of both men’s and women’s sizes.

The “Kam” sneaker is crafted from durable white leather uppers and includes rounded toes, matching white lace-up closures, breathable lining and a molded footbed that offers the wearer a custom form fit. Key details on the shoes include Kenneth Cole’s signature metallic gold striping on the heels.

If their “Barbie” pink shade isn’t your thing, Kenneth Cole also offers customers black, sky blue, silver and dark gold hues. Kenneth Cole’s personalization option was launched in mid-June.

This isn’t the first time the American fashion house has dipped its proverbial toes into the Barbie world. During their fall 2009 runway show, Kenneth Cole designed a “Voice Wear” T-shirt in white and black that read, “Everyone Needs a Ken.”

It’s safe to say that Barbie mania is alive and well following the release of Greta Gerwig’s highly-anticipated film. The viral Barbiecore trend has been adopted by just about every large-scale apparel, cosmetics, furniture and food company. Vans, Primark, Cotton On, Kendra Scott, Cold Stone, Aldo, Pac Sun, Bloomingdales, GAP, Rue21, Impala Skate and even Burger King are just some of the companies that have capitalized off of the success of “Barbie.”

“Barbie” hit theaters on July 21. The movie features a star-studded ensemble cast including Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Dua Lipa, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Hari Nef, Emma Mackey, Sharon Rooney, Simi Liu, Michael Cera, Alexandra Shipp and Nicola Coughlan.

Kenneth Cole Customized Kam Sneakers

$150 Buy Now at kenneth cole

About the Author:

Amina Ayoud is an Assistant Digital Editor for Footwear News, where she writes stories about everything from celebrity style to breaking fashion and shoe releases. Ayoud cultivated a love of all things fashion early in life thanks to a deep love of fashion history and the luxury industry. In her free time, Ayoud is a self-proclaimed fashion nerd and thriftaholic.

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