While fighting for positive social change, Kenneth’s business became a formidable global brand, going public in 1994. Ultimately, the obligation to shareholders to achieve greater profit margins year after year, became increasing onerous…interfering greatly with Kenneth’s commitment to social impact. In 2012,.Kenneth bought back his own company and restructured his business, re-establishing the cause / commerce balance.

Kenneth’s fierce, high-risk commitment to caring as much for ‘what people stand for…not just what they stand in’….has been the hallmark of his name and brand ever since. Now after four decades of persuasive and impactful campaigns and initiatives, Kenneth Cole is using his blueprint for social impact to eradicate the stigma around mental health. Formed during the pandemic, the Mental Health Coalition is a consortium of leading mental health organizations, advocacy groups, digital platforms, business leaders and celebrities who have joined forces to help people everywhere access the services they desperately need.

Interviews with fashion leaders, global scientists, collaborators, partners and employees are fused with a treasure-trove of current and archival social initiative footage to tell Kenneth’s purposeful story of maverick invention, monumental impact and creative survival.

Forty years in, Kenneth Cole is just getting started.