Kenneth Cole Productions
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Founder | Kenneth Cole |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | International (including Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India) |
Key people | Elana Drell Szyfer (executive vice president of global brand strategy since 2013) |
| Products | Clothing, footwear, fashion accessories |
| Website | kennethcole |
Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. is a United States-based fashion house established in 1982 by Kenneth Cole.
History and operations
Originally launched as Kenneth Cole Incorporated in September 1982, the company faced a challenge when it could not afford showroom space during market week at the Hilton New York. To overcome this, Cole ingeniously secured a permit to shoot a "full-length motion picture" titled The Birth of a Shoe Company and transformed the business identity into Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. This creative tactic enabled the brand to debut with a mobile showroom, successfully selling 40,000 pairs of shoes within just two and a half days in Manhattan. The company’s current name honors this innovative beginning.
The brand’s first retail location was established in 1984 on Columbus Avenue in Manhattan, followed by an additional store on Union Street in San Francisco. Presently, Kenneth Cole maintains stores internationally, including markets such as Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India. This extensive global presence underscores the company’s deliberate expansion and influence in the fashion sector.
In 2013, Elana Drell Szyfer joined the team as executive vice president of global brand strategy. Bringing with her prior CEO experience from Ahava Corp, she strengthened Kenneth Cole’s leadership and strategic direction.
By the end of 2016, Kenneth Cole Productions reoriented its business model by shutting down most of its outlet locations to concentrate on e-commerce and other revenue channels. Only two full-price stores remained open—in New York and Virginia—with all outlet closures finalized by January 2017 as part of this strategic shift.
In September 2021, the company collaborated with Nogin to enhance its e-commerce platform through AI-driven technology designed to lower expenses and elevate customer experience. However, Nogin filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2023 due to financial difficulties tied to inventory obligations with retail partners.
Advertising
Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. is distinguished for its socially aware and often bold advertising campaigns that frequently tackle pressing issues. Among its notable promotions are a 1986 campaign referencing Imelda Marcos’s vast shoe collection and a politically charged 1994 ad supporting George Pataki’s New York gubernatorial bid, which generated controversy but attracted significant attention.
The brand’s advertisements often combine humor with social commentary, employing clever wordplay to address subjects such as HIV/AIDS, homelessness, gun control, abortion rights, environmental concerns, and marriage equality. The current slogan reads: "We need more than a surface mentality. The writing is on the wall."
Charity and social causes
Philanthropy is deeply embedded within Kenneth Cole Productions’ corporate philosophy, using both advertising campaigns and business initiatives to champion various causes. Kenneth Cole himself has been an active board member and chairman of The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) since 1985, launching a prominent public service campaign that secured nearly $3 million worth of donated media exposure.
In 2005, he spearheaded the “We All Have AIDS” initiative featuring international celebrities to raise awareness. The company also supports annual World AIDS Day events through retail promotions.
Demonstrating ethical responsibility, Kenneth Cole Productions committed to eliminating fur from its collections beginning with the Fall 2007 season.
The brand also backs HELP USA, a nonprofit organization focused on homelessness chaired by Maria Cuomo Cole, Kenneth’s wife. Their partnership includes a collaborative product line with Jon Bon Jovi under the Kenneth Cole New York label, with proceeds directed toward HELP USA.
Other philanthropic efforts encompass relief funds for victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, donation-driven store discounts, and nationwide charity shopping campaigns—highlighting the company’s dedication to social responsibility alongside commercial success.
Criticism
Kenneth Cole Productions has encountered difficulties in adequately staffing its retail locations to adhere to labor laws concerning mandated rest and meal periods. A significant instance occurred in 2007 when the California Supreme Court affirmed a decision obligating the company to compensate store managers for nine-hour shifts during which they were not provided breaks, underscoring challenges in the company’s retail operations and regulatory compliance.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Clothing brands of the United States
- Clothing retailers of the United States
- Clothing companies based in New York City
- Shoe companies of the United States
- Fashion accessory brands
- American companies established in 1982
- Clothing companies established in 1982
- Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange
- 1982 establishments in New York City
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- Companies of the United States by year of establishment