Now in its fourth year, Kenneth Cole Productions and the CFDA are awarding the Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award to inspire design leadership. This year’s recipient of the one-year design fellowship opportunity supported by an annual stipend of $50,000 goes to Kent State University student Sloan Fox.

“The goal of the Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award is to identify perspective recipients who demonstrate innovative thinking in their approach to footwear design and accessories, as well as individuals who recognize the inherent relationship of design with social impact as well as sustainability,” Cole said. “We were all very impressed with Sloan’s passion, her design skills and her understanding of sustainable fashion. “

The Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award builds both conceptual and practical skills, while promoting creative consciousness and collaboration – all with mentorship at its core.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the 2019/2020 Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Fellow,” Fox said. “I am so thankful to Kenneth Cole and the CFDA for seeing the value in my sustainable and socially conscious collection and for giving me the opportunity to begin my career by working at such an iconic brand.  It is exciting to know that I will be learning about the industry through the lens of such an innovative company.  I am most looking forward to diving into the design, production and marketing processes and I can’t think of a better place to gain first-hand experience than a brand like Kenneth Cole.”