F@B Presents: Kenneth Cole - Fashion Empire Visionary with Passion and Purpose

Описание: Designer, activist, and visionary Kenneth Cole was interviewed by his daughter and Brown University alum Amanda Cole ’12, and introduced by Sasha Pinto ’21 and Emma Rosenkranz ’23 as part of Brown Fashion Week 2021 at Brown University on March 8, 2021.

𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 ’𝟐𝟏:

Brown Fashion Week, an extravaganza inspired, planned, and executed by the 130 undergraduate student members Fashion@Brown (F@B), is the annual culmination of the club’s mission to inform, enthuse, and educate members and the community about the fashion and lifestyle industries. F@B’s Distinguished Speaker Series features conversations by the fashion industry’s top designers, CEOs, creative directors, journalists, editors, and industry professionals, offering real-life perspectives and advice for students. Brown Fashion Week culminates in its annual Runway Show spotlighting the collections of F@B’s Design Team of Brown and RISD student designers.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞
Kenneth Cole built a billion dollar retail business while keeping in mind that “it’s great to be known for your shoes, but it’s better to be recognized for your soul.”

Instead of being the company’s model, Kenneth Cole decided to be the company’s role model by lending his name to social issues like AIDS, homelessness, gun control, mental health, and abortion. Cite a public controversy, and Cole likely weighed in on it, often with humor and puns. Kenneth Cole’s company slogans are possibly the most meaningful and witty in retail history, including “What you stand for is more important than what you stand in,” and “Our voice is our greatest accessory.” These slogans speak volumes about the man himself and were honored to welcome Kenneth Cole, joined by his daughter Amanda Cole ’12, to Brown Fashion Week.

Designer, social activist, and visionary, Kenneth Cole believes that business and philanthropy are interdependent. For over 35 years, Kenneth Cole has leveraged his passion and unique brand platform to make a meaningful impact on people’s wardrobes, as well as in underserved communities. He was amongst the first to publicly champion AIDS research and treatment, has chaired the board of directors of the Foundation for AIDS Research for 14 years, served as the Joint United Nations Program on HIVS and AIDS as their International Goodwill Ambassador, and established the Kenneth Cole Haiti Health Center in Haiti after the devastating 2010 earthquake. Most recently, in the midst of the COVID19 crisis, Kenneth launched the Mental Health Coalition to address the debilitating stigma surrounding mental health conditions.

Brown University is proud to have The Kenneth Cole Foundation Fund for Social Innovation. Up to six Brown or RISD undergraduates are chosen annually to work on ventures utilizing art and design or that focus on social justice and/or public health.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐞
Amanda has worked as a Human Potential Coach, Storyteller, Social Entrepreneur and Impact Strategist, helping leaders and organizations harness purpose to drive sustainable change. Amanda is a Founding Partner at Percapita, a financial services social enterprise with a mission to create more financial opportunity, inclusion, and equity. Previously, Amanda worked to develop and implement Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy at Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. Amanda has Co-Founded several non-profits and campaigns to build and harness community, drive collaboration, and make sustainable impact in the mental health, AIDS, and youth civic engagement spaces. Amanda serves on the board of HELP USA Young Professionals, A Better Life Foundation, The Mental Health Coalition and Social Impact 360. Amanda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies from Brown University.

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