Kenneth Cole
Kenneth Cole Productions · United States
Kenneth Cole is an American fashion brand founded in New York in 1982 by designer Kenneth Cole. It started in shoes and now offers footwear, apparel, accessories and fragrances.
| Founded | 1982 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Kenneth Cole |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Company | Kenneth Cole Productions (private) |
| Website | kennethcole.com |
What is Kenneth Cole?
Kenneth Cole is an American fashion brand founded in New York in 1982 by designer Kenneth Cole. The privately held company, Kenneth Cole Productions, started in shoes and now offers apparel, accessories and fragrances.
History
Cole incorporated the company in September 1982 and opened for business that December. Unable to afford a hotel room or showroom for a trade show, he borrowed a truck and parked near the Hilton New York. Because street permits were limited to utilities and film productions, he named the company Kenneth Cole Productions and applied for a permit to film a movie about its birth. With a trailer, models and a film crew, he reportedly sold 40,000 pairs of shoes in two and a half days.
Products and positioning
- Men's and women's footwear, the original category
- Apparel, including the Kenneth Cole New York label
- Accessories
- Fragrances
Distribution
Kenneth Cole stores operate in many countries, including Mexico, Canada, the UK, Japan, Australia and India. In 2016 the company announced it would close its outlet stores to focus on e-commerce, keeping full-price stores in New York and Virginia, and in 2021 it moved its online business to a new platform.
Why it matters
Kenneth Cole is an example of a designer footwear business that grew into a multi-category lifestyle brand, and its shift from outlet stores towards e-commerce mirrors wider changes in American fashion retail.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Kenneth Cole?
Designer Kenneth Cole founded the company in New York in 1982.
Why is it called Kenneth Cole Productions?
Cole named it that so he could obtain a film permit to park a truck and sell shoes near the Hilton New York during a trade show.