“This man is probably the most extraordinary man I’ve ever met,” Donna Karan gushed over Kenneth Cole onstage at the 2024 FN Achievement Awards. The legendary designer presented Cole with the Lifetime Achievement Award on Wednesday night in New York.

“You’ve been ahead of the curve your whole life, in every aspect of your life, in the way you create, collaborate and communicate to sheer perfection,” she continued. “You call, we come.”

Karan and Cole have worked together, not only in fashion, but through their philanthropic efforts through the years. In 2019, the two were honored as the Icon Award for Social Impact winners at the FN Achievement Awards for their mission to help support the country of Haiti.

But that’s just one of Cole’s many humanitarian and charitable works. For more than four decades, the designer has been committed to using his platform to support a range of social justice movements, including HIV/AIDS awareness, gun control, climate change and, most recently, ending mental health stigmas.

“I have always believed that fashion is more than how we present ourselves in the world, but also a vehicle to positively impact it, and a powerful and creative way to respectfully communicate our commonality as well as our differences,” he said while accepting the award. “My story is the story of an American designer slash Shoe Dog — (and I hate that term, but as they say, if the shoe fits) — who uses the platform he has to make the difference that he can. It has taught me today that this is absolutely not a dress rehearsal, and that what we stand for will always matter more than what we stand in.”

All the Moments You Didn’t See Inside the FNAA 2024 [PHOTOS]

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For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram. 

Kenneth Cole attended the 2024 FN Achievement Awards held tonight at Cipriani South Street in New York. He was joined by his daughter Emily Cole.

The designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist will be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor that has been bestowed on major designers and executives including Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Sam and Libby Edelman, Bruce Nordstrom and Vince Camuto.

Kenneth went the formal route in a pair of black dress shoes. The style included glossy black leather uppers and almond-shaped toes. Rubber soles and short stacked block heels finished off the set. While the shoe silhouette was simple in construction, the shoe added a dressy twist to the designer’s look. The shoe pick was perfect for the occasion. Accompanying his footwear, Kenneth donned a light gray tailored suit with black accessories.

In a more daring twist, Emily sported sky-high black platform heels. Although they were hard to see over the hem of her dress, the style incorporated shiny patent leather uppers, almond-shaped toes and thin ankle straps threaded through adjustable buckle closures.

Platform soles and what appeared to be block heels finished off the set, lifting her to new heights. Emily partnered her lofty footwear with a sheer gown in a deep brown layered overtop a black bodysuit, offering her more coverage. The gown was belted, further defining her silhouette.

For more than four decades, Kenneth Cole has been committed to fashion with a mission. Using his eponymous brand’s powerful platform, he has tirelessly championed numerous social justice movements, including HIV/AIDS awareness, gun control, climate change and, most recently, ending mental health stigmas. His early efforts created a model that others have since followed.

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram. 

On Dec. 4, Kenneth Cole will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 38th annual FN Achievement Awards. Below is an article from the magazine’s Dec. 2 print issue about his career and impact on the fashion industry.

It’s one week after the 2024 U.S. presidential election — and Kenneth Cole is opening his tried-and-true playbook to plot his next move.

While the country has never been more divided and the new administration will bring more uncertainty, the veteran designer remains undeterred in his commitment to stand up for the burning social issues that matter. As Cole often says, “It’s great to be known for your shoes, but it’s even better to be known for your soul.”

That mantra is certainly top of mind right now for the executive, one of the few fashion players who was vocal during this election cycle — whether he was speaking out about abortion, climate change or a host of other hot topics.

“We don’t talk about political issues. We talk about important social issues that influence the products we bring to market and overwhelm us as consumers and individuals every day,” he said. “It’s what I’ve always done. There’s no reason we shouldn’t do it — and more going forward in light of the vacuum we’re likely to see.”

Four decades after he founded his namesake brand, Cole continues to be known for his activism. He’s lent his name to big, and controversial, issues since the 1980s, most notably HIV/AIDS.

At the time, the epidemic was something no one would touch — not even President Reagan, who did not give a major address on the crisis until 1987. But Cole became a voice for the voiceless and brought awareness of the disease to the masses through provocative ads.

For the company’s first advertisements supporting amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research — a nonprofit Cole was active in for 30 years — the designer enlisted photographer Annie Leibovitz to shoot supermodels of that time and children, to destigmatize the disease and show it could affect anyone. They went barefoot to avoid being seen as exploitative.

Since that first 1986 campaign, his efforts have never ceased — even when his company went public in 1994, which brought more eyes and more opinions from the public than ever before. You may remember the ad “If the Pope Had AIDS He’d Need More Than Just Your Prayers” going viral in 1996, for instance. The campaign, though it never actually ran, garnered so much press that they received a desist letter from the Archdiocese of New York.

“The stigma attached to people who spoke about AIDS was so debilitating, so I realized I could just speak about the fact that nobody was speaking about it, which was questionably prudent to most. Probably more mature businesspeople would have — and did — opt not to go down that road. It was a treacherous road,” Cole said. “But it’s one we chose to go down and it changed the man, changed the brand, changed the company forever. Everything suddenly became and felt more meaningful and worthwhile.”

Cole has gone on to support a range of social justice movements, including gun reform, homelessness, the Iraq war, climate change, aid to Haiti and women’s rights.

During the 2024 election, abortion was one of the most-discussed issues, and Cole used his platform to support Planned Parenthood and raise awareness about the threat to women’s reproductive rights following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2023.

“It is absolutely about our collective public health, and it’s not just a woman’s issue, it’s a man’s issue, and everything we do is interdependent, so it’s crucial that conversation finds an audience and continues to be part of what we do,” he said.

On how Trump’s administration and plans could impact the shoe industry as a whole, Cole cited uncertainties, highlighting the potential increase of consumer prices, the impact on labor and manufacturing costs, as well as labor shortage.

“If you institute tariffs on goods that are brought into the country, the consumer is the one who pays for it, not the country who’s exporting those goods. At the end of the day, it’s going to be inflationary at a certain level. Access to labor is going to have to all be reconsidered now, especially with the approach to immigrants,” he continued. “Social impact is going to [continue], the method of delivering a lot of that is going to be recalibrated, and its urgency becomes more important. We have to stay on message.”

One of Cole’s most recent fights has been against the stigma of mental health. In 2019, Cole helped to found The Mental Health Coalition, a large-scale effort aimed at bringing together influential nonprofits, businesses, brands and celebrities in a coordinated effort catalyzing like-minded communities to work together to empower access to life-changing resources. Since its founding, MHC has garnered nearly 1 billion impressions through unique online and in-person programming.

“Kenneth Cole has made a lasting impact on the shoe industry by creating accessible and well-made designs. His commitment to social causes sets him apart,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of The Council of Fashion Designers of America. “I respect his dedication to using his platform for good. Professionally, his vision and resilience have shaped his brand and the broader industry.”

In many ways, a career in fashion and footwear was Cole’s destiny.

He got his start in the shoe business with his father, Charles Cole, who had a small factory in the Williamsburg neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., called El Greco. That company eventually produced the famous Candies brand, with help from his son.

While Cole was originally on his way to law school, he couldn’t escape the family business. “I was fascinated by the process of creating a prototype, creating a shoe, and the uniqueness of the art form. It has elements of architecture, of engineering, of traditional design. And if any of that gets changed even ever so slightly, you have a totally different product. So I learned how to make patterns. I learned how to make shoes,” he said.

In a full-circle moment, Cole remembered creating his first collection of shoes for his father and landing on the cover of FN. “That article was a big influence. From that day, I looked at my opportunity in life very different than I did before,” he said. After that, his father encouraged him to actually sell the shoes, and he landed at Franklin Simon & Co., a department store on 34th Street at the time. “They had a hard time saying no to me. They bought a few pairs of those shoes and sent me on this journey,” he said.

After spending nearly five years learning the ins and outs of the business with his father, Cole set out to launch his own venture, Kenneth Cole Productions, in 1982. As the story goes, the designer infamously parked a trailer outside a footwear trade show in Midtown Manhattan, selling 40,000 pairs of women’s shoes in three-and-a-half days, under the guise of a production company shooting a full-length motion picture. He called it “The Birth of a Shoe Company.”

Success came swiftly. Shortly after the brand’s launch, he opened his first store in New York and debuted men’s footwear. By 2003, he had stores globally, fashion week shows and categories outside of footwear, including apparel, fragrance, jewelry, sunglasses, kids and more.

The exec created an accessible brand with longevity, one that epitomized New York fashion, according to Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer of Nordstrom Inc.

“I first met Kenneth about 40 years ago when I was a young shoe buyer, and he had a hot new brand. His styles were fresh and cool, like the grosgrain bow pump and velvet shoes with a granny-style heel. [My brothers] Blake and Erik and I got to know Kenneth well and viewed him as a trusted partner in the shoe business. Our relationship has endured, and we still keep in touch,” Nordstrom said. “Kenneth is incredibly talented and passionate about the industry. I feel fortunate to call him a friend and that Nordstrom has been a business partner with him since the beginning.”

Kenneth Cole shoes were a hot commodity when they came onto the scene. They could be found in major department stores such as Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue. As traction with big retailers helped the business grow, going public made sense for the brand. In 1994 the company made the leap.

But after 18 years under stakeholders’ watchful eyes, Cole took his company private in 2012. Part of the decision came down to Cole’s true moral compass: leading a purpose-driven brand. By going smaller, he could get bigger — on his own terms.

“The reason we’ve been successful over the years is we put everything through a filter of a being agile. Can we respond to change? Are we relevant? And are we profitable? Heel heights are a very fast-moving target,” said Cole. “I decided early on, if we can make what we do [be about] not just what you stand in but what you stand for, then we have a more sustainable and meaningful relationship that will transcend any given trend. It’s gotten us through some very significant changes in the industry and in our business and in our lives.”

While the company remains steadfast on social impact, product and design is still key to the brand story. President Jed Berger, who was tapped for the role in 2022 to help fuel the next stage of growth, said Cole is obsessed with building functionality into fashion. “Nobody appreciates a well-placed zipper or a strategic stretch like Kenneth. He does this without compromising style, and these pieces are consistently the best sellers,” he said. This year, the founder also relaunched women’s apparel with help from a newly appointed women’s creative director, his daughter Emily Cole.

Working with his daughter has been a dream that he never thought would come to life, Cole said. While Emily began her career as a lawyer, she is now following her father’s footsteps in the family business.

“Anyone can make shoes,” she said. “But he’s built something special with people who want to be part of something bigger than themselves. That, hopefully, will be the most important part of the legacy.”

For 38 years, the annual FN Achievement Awards — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — have celebrated the style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans. The 2024 event is supported by sponsors Listrak, Marc Fisher, Nordstrom and Vibram.

The big night is almost here! FN today revealed more of its honorees for the FN Achievement Awards (FNAAs), the industry’s most-anticipated event of the year.

The 38th annual awards ceremony will be held Dec. 4 in New York. As previously announced, designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Kenneth Cole will be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor that has been bestowed on designers and executives including Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Sam and Libby Edelman, Bruce Nordstrom and Vince Camuto.

In addition, FN will also highlight the year’s many other success stories, including brands and companies that outshone all the others with winning strategies, plus the creators and entrepreneurs who dazzled with their unique visions.

“Straddling the line between an exclusive, industry insider event and a starry showcase for the shoe-loving celebrity world, the Footwear News Achievement Awards has a long and storied history of documenting the powerful intersection of sports, fashion and pop culture,” said Michael Atmore, editorial director of Footwear News and chief brand officer of Fairchild Media Group. “The 2024 class of winners reflects incredible innovation, design prowess and business acumen. We are honored to reward the leaders, the brands and the emerging talents that have shaped the year in shoes and celebrate the powerful and inspiring stories behind their achievements.”

Each year, the FNAAs — often called the “Shoe Oscars” — celebrate footwear’s influential style stars, best brand stories, ardent philanthropists, emerging talents and industry veterans.

Below is a list of the 2024 award recipients. Stay tuned for more FNAA winners, which will be announced in the coming days.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Kenneth Cole

For more than four decades, Kenneth Cole has been committed to fashion with a mission. Using his eponymous brand’s powerful platform, he has tirelessly championed numerous social justice movements, including HIV/AIDS awareness, gun control, climate change and, most recently, ending mental health stigmas. His early efforts created a model that others have since followed.

Company of the Year: New Balance

New Balance couldn’t miss in 2024. Both its heritage and collaboration sneakers topped every must-have list, it scored major Olympic moments with partners like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Gabby Thomas, and now, thanks to a new WNBA deal, New Balance will take a key role in one of the hottest sports leagues in America.

Person of the Year: Bjørn Gulden

Since rejoining Adidas in early 2023 as its chief executive officer, Bjørn Gulden has helped steer the German athletic giant through a remarkable turnaround. An inventory cleanup and new hyperlocal strategy helped improve financials faster than anyone expected. And when its “terrace shoes” exploded in popularity, the company was ready to capitalize on the demand.

Retailer of the Year: JD Sports

“Bigger is better” seems to be the approach for U.K.-based retail company JD Sports. In addition to opening 85 new stores in the first half of this year, it completed its acquisition of American chain Hibbett in July, which added 1,179 stores to the total portfolio and made North America its largest geographic market. As it works to transition Finish Line stores to JD Sports locations, the company is poised to grow its U.S. mindshare even further.

Designer of the Year: Edgardo Osorio

In an era when many independent shoe designers are facing significant challenges and have scaled back, Aquazzura founder and creative director Edgardo Osorio is forging ahead. His 12-year-old brand continues to drive growth with retail expansion in key markets. And Aquazzura has become a red-carpet mainstay, with everyone from Beyoncé and Meghan Markle to Angelina Jolie wearing the brand this year.

Brand of the Year: On

The Swiss athletic brand continues its strong standing in the ultra-competitive running market, growing global sales 24 percent in the first half of this year to 1.08 billion Swiss francs (or $1.24 billion at current exchange). And its already red-hot fashion cred got an additional boost this year from its collaboration with Loewe and a new partnership with actress and style influencer Zendaya.

Brand of the Year: Larroudé

During a time when many independent designers have closed or scaled back their businesses, Larroudé has defied the odds, racking up $30 million in sales in 2023, less than three years since its launch in 2020. Chief creative officer Marina Larroudé and her husband, chief executive officer Ricardo Larroudé, honed a successful strategy built around buzzy collaborations, product freshness and a faster DTC model.

Icon Award for Social Impact: Skechers

The company will be honored for its multi-faceted philanthropic efforts, most notably the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, which has made an incredible impact on the lives of children with special needs and the broader public education sector over the past 16 years. In addition, Skechers has been a huge supporter of animal welfare, donating millions through the Bobs brand to help shelter pets. And, of course, there’s no bigger supporter of the Manhattan Beach community than Skechers.

Launch of the Year: Sneex

She already built a billion-dollar brand from the ground up. Now Spanx founder Sara Blakely is disrupting the footwear industry with her Sneex brand. The buzzed-about launch in August certainly got people talking. And the shoes gained a place on the coveted Oprah’s Favorite Things holiday list (likely with help from super fan Gayle King). Blakely’s patented design features a sneaker-stiletto hybrid (cheekily called hy-heels) that’s made in Spain and features a 78mm heel. The goal of the design is to address major pain points in a traditional high heel.  

Emerging Talent Award: Philéo Landowski

At just 22 years old, French designer Philéo Landowski has quickly established a reputation as a go-to creative voice in footwear, collaborating with Comme des Garçons, Salomon, Adidas and many others. Additionally, his namesake unisex brand has grown over 10 seasons, now distributed in 14 countries with close to 40 doors, including Kith and Dover Street Market. 

Hall of Fame: Tacey Powers

Tacey Powers joined Nordstrom in 1981, starting on the sales floor and working her way up to the executive level, where she now serves as executive vice president and general merchandise manager for shoes. In addition to overseeing the retailer’s stores in the U.S., she also has been committed to mentorship and giving back to the industry as a board member for Two Ten Footwear Foundation and Footwear Retailers and Distributors of America. 

Hall of Fame: Susan Itzkowitz

In 2004, Susan Itzkowitz partnered with Marc Fisher to launch a new shoe venture, which has grown into a powerful player in the fashion footwear business, encompassing 14 brands, including licensed collections for Calvin Klein, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger, Hunter and others. And as a longtime board member for Two Ten Footwear Foundation, she has spearheaded efforts to increase representation and opportunities for women in the industry.  

Hall of Fame: Dave Powers

Dave Powers retired from his role as chief executive officer of Deckers Brands in August, capping off an incredible 12-year run with the company. He joined Deckers as president of direct-to-consumer in August 2012, rising through the ranks to become CEO in 2016. Under his tenure, Deckers experienced explosive growth, led by its Ugg and Hoka businesses. For its last fiscal year, the company scored $4.3 billion in sales.

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.