Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole is an American designer, social activist, business owner, and philanthropist. He is the founder of Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc., a global lifestyle brand that creates clothing and other products for men and women. The brand has different labels, such as Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole, Unlisted, and Gentle Souls, that cater to different tastes and occasions. The brand also has a wide range of accessories, luggage, pet products, and home items.

Kenneth Cole started his company in 1982 with a creative marketing stunt. He wanted to showcase his shoes at the New York Shoe Expo, but he could not afford a hotel room or a showroom. He decided to park a trailer near the Hilton Hotel and applied for a permit to film a movie called "The Birth of a Shoe Company". In two and a half days, he sold 40,000 pairs of shoes from his trailer. Since then, he has been known for his innovative and provocative advertising campaigns that address various social issues, such as AIDS awareness, homelessness, gun violence, and civil rights. Kenneth Cole is also a philanthropist who supports many causes and organizations. He is the chairman of amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research, and has been involved in the fight against AIDS since 1985. He is also a board member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), the Sundance Institute, and the Rock the Vote Foundation. He has received many awards and honors for his work, such as the CFDA Humanitarian Award, the Courage Award from amfAR, and the Human Rights Campaign's Ally for Equality Award. Kenneth Cole's mission is to combine style, comfort, and passion with innovation and quality. He believes that fashion can be a powerful tool for social change and that everyone can make a difference by being always on purpose.