Now in its third year, the Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award continues to identify recipients who best demonstrate an understanding of the Kenneth Cole brand, exemplary design identity, and unique point of view holistically within the areas of footwear design and social impact.

We are happy to announce that the 2018 Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award winner is Susan Zienty of Academy of Art University. Zienty’s project: Footwear designed with Lucite heels and created by foster children during art therapy sessions in collaboration with San Francisco’s Braid Mission. Braid is a foundation that offers holistic mentoring by connecting and training adults to become mentors to heal the wounds of foster care.

“She exhibits great talent, business knowledge, and a passion for both footwear and the Kenneth Cole brand,” said Gina Piesco of Kenneth Cole.  “We are excited to bring her on board for our third year!”

Through the yearlong Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation fellowship, Zienty anticipates the culmination of mentorship, design skill development, and a new understanding of the Kenneth Cole brand that is to come.

“Receiving this year’s CFDA Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award is an accomplishment that, up until now, has been beyond my wildest imagination,” said Zienty.  “I am so humbled to accept the award based off of a collection which commemorates, celebrates, and unveils the profound beauty that can emerge from hardship in the foster care system.  And I am so thankful to Kenneth Cole and the CFDA for granting me such a profound platform to showcase my collection with a cause in collaboration with the organization Braid Mission.”