Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole is an American designer, social activist, and visionary who believes business and philanthropy are interdependent.

His global company, Kenneth Cole Productions, creates modern, versatile, and functional clothing, shoes, and accessories that make daily dressing under the labels Kenneth Cole Black Label, Kenneth Cole New York, Reaction Kenneth Cole, and Unlisted, as well as footwear under the name Gentle Souls. The company has also granted a wide variety of third-party licenses for the production of men’s and women’s apparel, fragrances, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and several other accessory categories, including children’s footwear. For over 30 years, Kenneth Cole has leveraged his passion and unique brand platform seeking to make a meaningful impact on people’s wardrobes, as well as communities in need.

In celebration of more than 35 years of rich brand heritage, innovation and philanthropy, Kenneth Cole Productions and the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) have partnered to create the Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award and inspire design leadership. The Kenneth Cole Footwear Innovation Award is a one-year design fellowship opportunity supported by an annual stipend of $50,000, offered to fashion graduates combining design with social consciousness. Students graduating in 2018 from an American, accredited, full-time degree program are invited to develop portfolio submissions designing within the category of footwear supported by a fully envisioned brand story and empowered design idea.